NCJ Number
229504
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2009 Pages: 379-413
Date Published
December 2009
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the results of a meta-analysis that examined the relationship between age and sentence length.
Abstract
Research exploring the effects of an offender's age on unwarranted sentencing disparity has produced conflicting and inconclusive results. Some studies concluded that age was inversely correlated with sentencing severity, whereas others found a positive association. Still others found no significant impact of age on sentencing differentials or that age had a curvilinear effect. Given these inconsistencies, the present research uses meta-analytic methodology to assess empirical findings from a body of sentencing studies. In particular, this research focuses on the imposition of sentence length. Findings from this meta-analysis reveal that the age of the offender has no effect on the length of the prison term and that the strength of the association between the two variables is extremely weak. The homogeneity analysis indicates that variability in effect sizes across contrasts is not due simply to sampling error. A number of moderators related to sample and analytic characteristics account for the differences in effect sizes. Tables, appendix, notes, and references (Published Abstract)