NCJ Number
154530
Journal
Intergovernmental Perspective Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1993) Pages: 18-20
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Minnesota legislature established the first State sentencing commission in 1978; since then, legislatures in Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, Ohio, and Arkansas have established similar commissions.
Abstract
State sentencing commissions predate the Federal sentencing commission, and they have been established for several purposes: (1) contain corrections costs; (2) develop a planning function with ongoing monitoring, impact assessment, and coordination components to evaluate sentencing policy in relation to correctional resources; (3) establish truth in sentencing by moving sentencing discretion from parole and corrections administrators to judges; and (4) reduce sentencing disparity. State sentencing commissions have proven to be a useful mechanism for developing and implementing sentencing policies. They have also been effective in containing costs. The State sentencing commission established in Arkansas is detailed.