Impact of Sentencing Guidelines in Minnesota and Florida (From Observations on Parole, P 63-71, 1987, Edward E Rhine and Ronald W Jackson, eds. -- See NCJ-107459)

• NCJ Number: 107837
• Author(s): D A Lee
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In both Minnesota and Florida, the establishment of sentencing guidelines has been tied to the abolishment of parole boards.

Abstract

In Minnesota, the corrections board was established in 1974 and given total discretion over the release of inmates. Before the board had much opportunity to fully establish itself, sentencing guidelines were enacted and the board was abolished in 1982. The Florida guidelines provide minimum-maximum sentence ranges for nine offense categories and delineate factors to be considered in determining sentences within the ranges. Expiration of the probation and parole commission in 1987 was tied to the enacting legislation. Both States have experienced both positive and negative effects of their new systems, and attitudes toward the systems have been mixed. Abolishment of parole has failed to address the issues of prison overcrowding and rising crime rates, and many questions about sentencing guidelines remain to be answered.