NCJ Number
116339
Journal
Justice Analyst Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1989) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Several Pennsylvania State agencies have been independently involved in producing projections of future offender populations for specific purposes.
Abstract
Recent changes in correctional policies necessitated a more systematic and combined approach to projecting and planning for future offender populations. Therefore, a consensus review committee was established which includes in its membership representatives of the Department of Corrections, the Board of Probation and Parole, the Commission on Sentencing, the Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and the Office of the Budget. The committee hopes to produce the best possible projections of the combined offender population and to conduct impact analyses for correctional planning. As of December 1987, the State supervised offender population was 33,298 (16,302 in prison, 16,896 on parole). By the year 2000, that population is expected to grow 35 percent to 44,657 (23,601 in prison, 21,056 on parole). The year end total offender population for 1988 was 34,834 (17,908 in prison, 16,926 on parole). The resources of both the Department of Corrections and the board of Probation are presently overburdened, and the expected growth in offender population will result in increasing demands for the limited resources of these two agencies. In the future the committee will concentrate on impact analyses and become more involved in providing input when proposals affecting correctional policies are being developed. 4 figures and 3 tables. (Author abstract modified)