NCJ Number
163540
Date Published
1996
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistics on the changing profile of first-time felony offenders sentenced to community corrections in Texas (1993 offender populations compared to 1987 offender populations).
Abstract
Data show that the number of felony offenders sentenced to community corrections has increased: 335 per 100,000 population in 1987 and 451 per 100,000 population in 1993. In 1993 offenders convicted for drug offenses, drunk-driving, and sex offenses constituted a large proportion of those sentenced to community corrections than in 1987; and offenders in community corrections received longer sentences in 1993 than in 1987 (a higher percentage of offenders received probated sentences longer than 5 years in 1993 than in 1987). Other statistics show that the number of distinct diversionary programs funded has increased since 1987, and the population of felony offenders in residential programs increased by 295 percent between 1987 and 1993. Although there was little change in the percentage of offenders with a prior felony conviction who were sentenced to basic supervision, repeat offenders were more likely to be placed under intensive supervision programs in 1993 than in 1987. Between 1987 and 1993 the percentage of unemployed offenders decreased, although a higher percentage of offenders had less than a 12th grade education in 1993. The percentage of offenders who reported drug use remained the same. Finally, a higher proportion of offenders sentenced to community supervision in 1993 were Hispanics and older offenders compared to 1987. Extensive tables and figures