NCJ Number
49836
Date Published
1977
Length
20 pages
Annotation
FREQUENTLY USED TERMS IN THE ALTERNATE SENTENCING DEBATE ARE DEFINED IN THIS PUBLICATION OF THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION.
Abstract
WHILE LOCAL VARIATIONS IN TERMS MAY EXIST, THESE COMMONLY USED DEFINITIONS IN CONNECTICUT ARE EXTREMELY USEFUL IN EXAMINING STATEMENTS FROM LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEGISLATORS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS, AND ACADEMIC THEORISTS. THE SENTENCE IS THE FORMAL DISPOSITION A JUDGE GIVES A DEFENDANT UPON CONVICTION. ANY OFFENSE FOR WHICH A PERSON MAY BE SENTENCED TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT EXCEEDING 1 YEAR IS A FELONY. ANY OFFENSE INVOLVING A SENTENCE OF LESS THAN 1 YEAR IS A MISDEMEANOR. PROBATION IS AN EXTENSIVELY USED ALTERNATIVE TO IMPRISONMENT. UNDER THE INDETERMINATE SENTENCE, CONVICTED FELONY OFFENDERS ARE SENTENCED TO BOTH A MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT. A NARROWLY DEFINED SENTENCE (1 TO 20 YEARS) IS CALLED THE INDEFINITE SENTENCE. PAROLE IS THE MEANS BY WHICH INMATES SENTENCED UNDER THE INDETERMINATE STRUCTURE ARE RELEASED FROM CONFINEMENT BEFORE THEIR MAXIMUM TERM IS SERVED. DEFINITE SENTENCES DIFFER FROM INDETERMINATE SENTENCES BECAUSE CONVICTED OFFENDERS ARE SENTENCED TO A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF YEARS RATHER THAN TO A RANGE OF YEARS. MANDATORY SENTENCES REQUIRE THAT PERSONS CONVICTED OF CERTAIN LEGISLATIVELY SELECTED CRIMES SPEND A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME IN CORRECTIONAL CONFINEMENT. FLAT, FIXED, DETERMINATE, AND SOMETIMES DEFINITE SENTENCES RELATE TO A FORM OF SENTENCING THAT IS INCREASING IN THEORETICAL POPULARITY. THE OPERATING ASSUMPTION OF PRESUMPTIVE SENTENCING IS THAT CONVICTION OF A CERTAIN CRIME PREDICTABLY RESULTS IN A CERTAIN SENTENCE THAT CAN THEN BE MODIFIED BY MITIGATING OR AGGRAVATING FACTORS. THREE FORMS OF 'GOOD TIME' ARE AUTHORIZED BY CONNECTICUT STATUTES: STATUTORY GOOD TIME, JAIL CREDIT GOOD TIME, AND 7-DAY WORK WEEK GOOD TIME. (DEP)