NCJ Number
139586
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 15 Issue: 8 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 1,8-16
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A survey of State and Federal correctional systems and the Canadian correctional system revealed that the number of inmates serving life sentences in United States prisons increased 45 percent between 1988 and 1990, from 41,000 to 59,997.
Abstract
The new survey conducted by Corrections Compendium revealed that while more than 38,600 were convicted of homicide, another 17,948 received life sentences for kidnapping, sexual assault, drugs, robbery, being a habitual criminal, fraud, and burglary. In addition, 2,328 men and 33 women were on death row in 1990 in the 39 systems having capital punishment, 18 percent more than in 1988. In Canada, the number serving life sentences increased 9 percent from 1,774 in 1988 to 1,971 in 1990. Increasing numbers of states have specific sentences of life without parole. Inmates serving life are eligible for community release in 27 systems and not eligible in 22 others. Data tables