Prison Release in Kentucky: A Convict Perspective on Policy Recommendations

Authors

James Austin, George Washington University
Stephen C. Richards, Northern Kentucky UniversityFollow
Richard S. JonesFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

5 p.

Publication Date

5-2003

Publisher

Civic Research Institute

Source Publication

Offender Programs Report

Source ISSN

1093-7439

Abstract

Like many other states, Kentucky is currently facing a severe budget crisis and is seeking ways to lower its prison costs. To better understand the number and types of persons being released from prison to parole, the authors recently requested and received from the Kentucky Department of Corrections a data file that contained information on all prisoners. They also interviewed prisoners, parolees, and prison and parole staff. The analysis of these records and interviews found no difference in recidivism based on a prisoner’s length of stay. Put differently, no crime reduction gains are achieved by either extending or reducing the period of a prisoner’s imprisonment. As of January 2003, this study has contributed to the immediate release of nearly 900 prisoners in Kentucky.

Comments

Offender Programs Report, Vol. 7, No. 1 (May/June 2003): 1-5. Permalink.

Recommended Citation

Austin, James; Richards, Stephen C.; and Jones, Richard S., "Prison Release in Kentucky: A Convict Perspective on Policy Recommendations" (2003). Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 129.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/socs_fac/129