NCJ Number
119945
Date Published
1989
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study analyzes the extent of differences between the processing of persons with prior felony convictions (FELCONS) and persons without prior felony convictions (NOCONS) in New York State.
Abstract
FELCONS are arrested at a disproportionate frequency for their occurrence in the population. FELCONS are more likely to be convicted of a felony than NOCONS. Upon conviction for a felony offense, FELCONS are more often sentenced to prison than are NOCONS. Once sentenced to prison, FELCONS serve somewhat longer minimum periods of incarceration prior to eligibility for parole. FELCONS are also more frequently held past their minimum period of incarceration. All of these factors combine to swell the custody population with persons having prior felony convictions. Although it is clear that FELCONS already consume a large fraction of criminal justice resources, it is not clear how long or how rapidly the FELCON pool will continue to grow; nor is it clear what impact this growth will have on the criminal justice system. 8 tables, 7 notes.