NCJ Number
176281
Date Published
1998
Length
20 pages
Annotation
State truth-in-sentencing (TIS) laws that require violent offenders to serve at least 85 percent of their imposed sentences were studied with respect to the number of States that have enacted laws that meet Federal incentive grant eligibility requirements and whether the availability of Federal grants was a factor in these States' decisions.
Abstract
The research also focused on the reasons why other States have not enacted TIS laws that meet the Federal grant requirements under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. Information was collected during September-December 1997 by means of a telephone survey of State officials and a review of documents on legislative history and other topics. Results revealed that 27 States had TIS laws that met the requirements for receiving Federal TIS grants. TIS grants were a crucial factor in 4 States, a partial factor in 11 States, and not a factor in 12 States. Sixteen States that did not enact such TIS laws reported that prison construction and/or operating costs would be too high, even with Federal grant month. Five States reported that their current sentencing practices appeared to work well; two States and the District of Columbia gave other reasons. Thus, the availability of Federal grants influenced laws in some States. Tables and appended background information and list of organizations and officials contacted