NCJ Number
95113
Date Published
1984
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This information package provides policymakers and practitioners with four broad strategies that may be useful in formulating and implementing approaches to prison overcrowding.
Abstract
The first strategy involves increasing available prison space through new construction or acquisition of surplus Federal property. However, time and budgetary restraints may make this option unattractive. The second strategy, selective incapacitation, is the identification of career criminals or offenders at risk of committing additional violent crimes and incarcerating them for long periods. Low-risk offenders receive shorter sentences, thus using less prison space. The third strategy involves the use of 'front door options' that reduce prison admissions, such as community corrections acts, restitution, and community service orders. This strategy also may involve the use of 'back door options' that increase the inmate's progress through the system. These may include emergency release laws, good time, parole, commutation, and furloughs. The final strategy develops approaches that formulate sentence or release policies sensitive to changes in prison populations. Sentence and parole guideline matrixes are examples of this approach. The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines illustrate this approach. Techniques for projecting prison populations also are discussed. Appendixes provide information on pending State legislation relevant to crowding, a resource list, and 29 selected readings available through NCJRS. Also included are 61 references.