NCJ Number
61912
Date Published
1978
Length
309 pages
Annotation
THIS FIRST OF THREE REPORTS OF MAINE'S STATEWIDE DETENTION STUDY PRESENTS DATA ON DETENTION FROM EACH COUNTY.
Abstract
A TOTAL OF 32,948 DETENTION CASES ARE REPORTED, WITH A CASE DEFINED AS ONE INDIVIDUAL ADMITTED TO A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF DETENTION DURING THE 4-YEAR PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 1974 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1978. A 50 PERCENT SAMPLE OF ALL ADMISSIONS WAS COLLECTED IN 16 COUNTIES (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, WHERE A 25 PERCENT SAMPLE WAS OBTAINED). A STATEWIDE SECTION PRESENTS INFORMATION AND TABLES DESCRIBING 11 TO 51 VARIABLES IN THE DATA BASE; EACH COUNTY REPORT REVIEWS ALL OF THE 51 VARIABLES. FINDINGS FROM THE PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF THE DATA SHOW (1) A TOTAL OF 7.5 PERCENT OF ALL ADMISSIONS WERE FEMALES; (2) 60 PERCENT OF THOSE ADMITTED TO DETENTION WERE 25 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER, WITH 10.3 PERCENT BEING JUVENILES; (3) THE NUMBER AND PROPORTION OF JUVENILES DETAINED INCREASED STEADILY OVER THE 4 YEARS; (4) ABOUT 85 PERCENT REPORTED A MAINE HOME ADDRESS; AND (5) LOCAL POLICE ACCOUNTED FOR 34 PERCENT OF ALL ADMISSIONS, SHERIFFS FOR 19 PERCENT, AND STATE POLICE FOR 12 PERCENT; ADDITIONAL FINDINGS INDICATE THAT MORE THAN 600 INDIVIDUAL OFFENSES WERE IDENTIFIED; THE MOST FREQUENT OFFENSE WAS OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL; 90 PERCENT OF ALL CASES WERE RELEASED ON BAIL, WITH 83 PERCENT OF ALL CASES HAVING SPENT THEIR DETENTION ON A PRETRIAL BASIS, AND 11 PERCENT WERE SENTENCED OFFENDERS. ALTHOUGH MOST CASES WERE DETAINED FOR 1 DAY OR LESS (70 PERCENT), AND PRETRIAL DETAINEES ACCOUNTED FOR 50 PERCENT OF ALL DETENTION DAYS, SENTENCED OFFENDERS COMPRISED A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE DAILY JAIL POPULATIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED---RCB)