Specific Deterrent Effects of Sentences for Robbery: Does Type of Punishment Influence Recidivism?

• NCJ Number: 108617
• Author(s): D R Smith; W R Smith; E Zupko
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 35 pages
• Grant Number(s): 85-IJ-CX-0005
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Rutgers University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented to the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, 1986, Atlanta, Ga.

Annotation

This study compares the ability of 12 recidivism measures to detect the deterrent effects of probation, county jail, a young adult correctional center, and State prison on a sample of persons sentenced for robbery.

Abstract

The sample consisted of 870 persons sentenced for robbery in a New Jersey State Court between 1976 and 1977. The study developed a base sentencing data file containing data on characteristics of the offense, offender, victim, and prior criminal involvement; number of charges; counts; dispositions; and sentences. This file was supplemented with data on official criminal activity before and after the sentence studied in the base data file. Computerized records of incarcerations were consulted to compute time at risk for offenders in custody at a State facility. Subject to several major qualifications, the study determined that independent of the indicator of recidivism, time sentenced has no main effect on recidivism, but type of sentence has consistent effects. For rearrest-based measures of recidivism, a 'time-by-where' interaction emerges to support the deterrent effects of a State prison sentence. 6 tables and 24 references. (Author abstract modified)