Across the country, State legislators and Governors have had to consider their sentencing and corrections policies in the third year of economic crisis. During this time, more than 25 States have made sentencing and corrections policy changes, some of which are substantial. The current analysis asks whether recent reforms simply signify belt-tightening, or do they represent a philosophical shift in the way America approaches criminal punishment? The analysis indicated that in at least three prominent areas, recent reforms signify changing attitudes: the increased use of data to inform sentencing policy; a growing attention to proportionality in criminal sentencing; and a renewed focus on rehabilitation. The article begins by surveying State sentencing and corrections reforms across the country. On-going efforts to cut correctional costs are explored, as is the emergence of rational, data-driven sentencing policy through the use of State sentencing commissions. Particular attention is given to two sentencing changes because they represent a vast departure from "get tough" corrections policies: an increase in support for early release provisions and new approaches for sanctioning technical violators. A number of States are also rethinking minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders and are expanding treatment-based alternatives to incarceration, primarily for low-level drug possession violators. Four case studies are presented that illustrate the shifting attitudes of State correctional systems. Alabama has used data to drive reform efforts; Delaware has considered the proportionality of sentences for drug and violent offenders; Kansas has increased treatment diversion options for minor drug offenders; and Arizona has implemented drug treatment for inmates preparing to transition back to society. The overall findings indicate that while budget considerations may have been the initial impetus for recent corrections reforms, ideological shifts in corrections policy are becoming evident in many States. Table, endnotes
Changing Fortunes or Changing Attitudes? Sentencing and Corrections Reforms in 2003
NCJ Number
206151
Date Published
March 2004
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This report reviews recent changes in State sentencing and corrections policies to identify the types of reforms implemented and whether they represent a shift in American corrections ideology.
Abstract
Date Published: March 1, 2004