A research team was formed to examine information on the correctional policy experiences of other States; provide statistical analyses of current State sentencing and parole practices; and conduct simulation analysis on the impact of alternative policies on prison, jail, parole, and probation populations. To analyze court sentencing practices and correctional policy and the effects of alternate policies, files were created on felony sentencing dispositions, prison admissions, existing prison population, prison releases, parole dispositions, and the existing parole population. Over 20 legislative reform proposals were tested via the simulation model to determine their impact on the correctional system. The final projection produced by the simulation took into account the simultaneous population and cost effects of adopting sentencing, parole, and good-time policy reforms, thus permitting estimates of the interactive effects of policies introduced over a staggered time period and affecting both prison admissions and terms. The findings of the policy analysis dramatized the effects of various policy options. While no immediate changes have thus far occured, the State is moving toward a process of carefully considering the consequences of possible policy reforms. Tabular and graphic data, footnotes, 4 references.
Avoiding Overcrowding Through Policy Analysis - The Nevada Experience
NCJ Number
101846
Date Published
1986
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the experiences of the Nevada Legislature, correctional administrators, and criminal justice officials in attempting to deal with problems associated with prison overcrowding and escalating correctional costs by analyzing the effect of various policy options.
Abstract
Date Published: January 1, 1986