PFO's are repeat offenders convicted of persistent criminality and receiving more severe sentences as a result. Of PFO's, 59 percent were white, 97 percent were male, and 60 percent received an additional sentence as a PFO in the second degree. While their ages ranged from 22 to 73, 56 percent were between 25 and 34 years old. Burglary was the most frequent charge of conviction, followed by robbery, theft by unlawful taking of over $100, other property offenses, violent offenses, sex offenses, and other offenses (e.g., drug offenses). All PFO's were convicted of at least two counts, and half were convicted of three or more counts. Most PFO's were under 21 years of age at the time of their first felony arrest, and 75 percent were incarcerated for their first adult felony offense. The careers of these offenders ranged from under 1 to 46 years. Thirty-six percent of the PFO's had a career involving only property crimes, while 9 percent had exclusively violent criminal careers. Compared to second degree PFO's, first degree PFO's were likely to be older, younger at first conviction, better educated, and more likely to have marital-family and sexual problems. 11 tables.
Persistent Felony Offenders in Kentucky - A Profile of the Institutional Population
NCJ Number
100810
Date Published
1985
Length
43 pages
Annotation
Individual, offense, and criminal career characteristics were examined using data on 1,261 inmates incarcerated as persistent felony offenders (PFO's) as of May 1, 1985.
Abstract