NCJ Number
189812
Journal
Trends and Issues Update Volume: 1 Issue: 10 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
May 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines prison sentences for drug offenses in Illinois.
Abstract
The article provides an overview of trends in the sentencing to State prison of adult drug-law violators in Illinois. It includes data regarding regional differences, sentences by offense class, and lengths of stay in prison by offense class. The number of offenders sentenced to and incarcerated in Illinois prisons for drug-law violations had increased dramatically since the early 1980's. While much of the increase could be attributed to increased arrests, it also appeared that the proportion of those arrested and subsequently sentenced to prison also increased. This may be a result of a change in the sentencing of drug-law violators, a change in the seriousness of the offenses for which drug-law violators were being arrested, or both. During the 1980's and 1990's there was a slight increase in the proportion of all convicted felons sentenced to prison. Between the mid-1980's and early 1990's the proportion of drug arrests for more serious sale and delivery offenses also increased. Figures, table, notes