NCJ Number
124563
Date Published
1982
Length
69 pages
Annotation
An analysis of the impacts of sentencing practices and parole policies on Nevada's correctional populations indicated that the State's prison population will increase substantially over the next decade as a result of the growth of the at-risk population, a relatively high rate of commitments to prison, and a relatively low parole release rate.
Abstract
The study used data on sentencing, prison admissions, and paroles and involved simulation projections to examine the impacts of sentencing and parole reforms. Results showed that considerable disparity exists among the district courts in prison disposition rates and sentence lengths. In addition, parole is granted to less than 30 percent of all inmates appearing before the parole board, with the parole decision based largely on the inmate's institutional disciplinary record. Findings also indicated that using sentencing and parole guideline models now being used by other States would substantially reduce the projected prison population. Furthermore, the use of these models would increase both the probation and parole populations and reduce the need for minimum-security cells. Tables and 4 references.