NCJ Number
127787
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 15 Issue: 9 Dated: (November 1990) Pages: 1,7-19
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A survey of Federal and State prisons found that, between 1984 and 1989, 411 persons were killed by inmates in prisons in 40 States; 21 of the victims were staff members and 390 were fellow inmates. Of the 297 charges filed, there were only 17 acquittals, while the remaining cases were convictions or still pending.
Abstract
Twenty of the inmates who killed in prison were sentenced to death; most were serving time for previous homicides. Most sentences ran consecutively with other terms being served. The offenders were charged with capital murder, first- and second-degree murder, and manslaughter; associated charges included conspiracy, assault, and unlawful use of weapons. Aside from court proceedings, internal disciplinary actions were severe. Most suspects were placed in solitary confinement during the investigation, most inmates lost good time for their actions, and most inmates convicted of the charges were transferred to other facilities. 1 table