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Using Risk Assessment to Inform Sentencing Decisions for Nonviolent Offenders in Virginia

NCJ Number
233862
Journal
Crime & Delinquency Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2007 Pages: 106-132
Author(s)
Matthew Kleiman; Brian J. Ostrom; Fred L. Cheesman, II
Date Published
January 2007
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the Virginia General Assembly adoption of truth-in-sentencing guidelines.
Abstract
Virginia has abolished parole and adopted truth-in-sentencing guidelines for persons convicted of felonies. As part of this reform, the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission developed a method for diverting 25 percent of nonviolent, prison-bound offenders into alternative sanction programs using risk assessment to identify the lowest risk offenders. This article describes an evaluation of the effectiveness of this instrument, used by judges at the time of sentencing. It serves to advance an understanding of the factors associated with recidivism and the policy implications of using risk assessment to divert offenders from incarceration at a time when states are facing fiscal challenges. (Published Abstract) Tables, figures, appendix, notes, and references