NCJ Number
121799
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1989) Pages: 333-352
Date Published
1989
Length
20 pages
Annotation
In New York State, there are a variety of measures of prior criminal record which are used to explain differences in incarceration.
Abstract
Analysis shows that measures based on arrest, conviction, or incarceration data are equally effective at explaining differences in incarceration. Measures based on counts do better in their logarithmic than in their arithmetic scales. Prior record is more closely related to incarceration for moderately serious than for serious or minor crimes, and prior record is more closely related to incarceration for crimes that have a theft component than for crimes that do not. An easy to compute composite prior record measure is developed that combines arrest and conviction data. It is as effective at explaining variation in incarceration as the most elaborate measures examined. 57 tables, 27 references. (Author abstract modified)