NCJ Number
198087
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 64 Issue: 7 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 74-76
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton M.S.
Date Published
December 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the change in American criminal justice policy in the 21st Century, from a punitive aspect to State legislatures repealing mandatory minimums, reducing sentences, and expanding treatment options.
Abstract
After two decades of unprecedented tough-on-crime policies that included mandatory minimums, three strikes, and truth-in-sentencing legislation, American criminal justice policy initiatives in 2001 and 2002 are undergoing significant changes. Currently State legislatures are repealing mandatory minimums, reducing sentences, and expanding treatment options. This article discusses these recent policy initiatives, factors leading to these policy changes, and whether this policy shift is a trend or a temporary departure from previous policy. In 2001 and 2002, 15 States took legislative or administrative action to improve the effects of tough sentencing laws. In addition, three factors seem to be behind the changing of criminal justice policy: (1) the decrease in crime from 1994 through 2000; (2) changing public perceptions and attitudes about crime, safety and policy; and (3) the fiscal pressures from the past year and the coming years. The question then remains on whether the changes in criminal justice policy regarding punishment or sentencing and treatment will stop here or is there more to come in criminal justice reform.