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Release Options

Release Options. The Mechanics of Creating Smart and Effective Pathways to Prison Release. Adam Gelb, Director Public Safety Performance Project Pew Center on the States. South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission June 27, 2009. True or False?.

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Release Options

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  1. Release Options The Mechanics of Creating Smart and Effective Pathways to Prison Release Adam Gelb, Director Public Safety Performance Project Pew Center on the States South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission June 27, 2009

  2. True or False? • Violent offenders in “Truth in Sentencing” states serve shorter prison terms • than violent offenders in non-TIS states? • TRUE(1999) • TIS states: 50 months • Non-TIS states: 55 months

  3. Longest Sentences • 1. Ohio (165 months) • 2. Arkansas (157 months) • 3. Iowa (146 months)

  4. Longest Time Served • 1. Missouri (85 months) • 2. Pennsylvania (80 months) • 3. Georgia (76 months)

  5. Highest Percent Served • 1. Missouri (86 percent) • 2. Arizona (81 percent) • 3. Connecticut (80 percent)

  6. D Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

  7. Release Options: Critical Issues • Release Window/Articulation • Tentative Release Date • Actual Release Date • Length of Post-Prison Supervision

  8. Release Window: How Large? • Huge: From minimum up to statutory maximum (Michigan) • Medium: Double to triple from minimum to maximum (Maryland) • Small: 10-15% from min to max (VOITIS 85% states; North Carolina) • Flat: 5 years for gun offenses • Varied by offense severity

  9. Release Window: Articulation in Court • Minimum • Maximum • Minimum to maximum range • Whatdo victims, offenders, public understand?

  10. Tentative Release Date • Set up front and announced in court? • At minimum? • At some percent above minimum? • At maximum?

  11. Actual Release Date • Based on: • Good conduct • Earned time (programs, other merit) • Risk assessment • Geriatric/medical • Who decides: • Department of Corrections • Parole Board • Other Releasing Authority

  12. Obstacles Delaying Release Survey Question: Does your releasing authority require at least some inmates to complete specific programs/classes before their release can occur? TABLE: Number of States Requiring Program Completion prior to Release (N=44) SOURCE: Association of Paroling Authorities International, 2007-2008 survey.

  13. Obstacles Delaying Release Survey Question: Are there enough accessible programs/classes in the prison system to accommodate the number of inmates that need them*? TABLE: Number of States With Enough Accessible Programs (N=42) * As determined by the releasing authority or the Department of Corrections SOURCE: Association of Paroling Authorities International, 2007-2008 survey.

  14. Obstacles Delaying Release Survey Question: Please rank order the following factors in terms of how they affect your ability to release inmates in a timely manner. • South Carolina Ranked “Delays in Program Completion” Number 1. SOURCE: Association of Paroling Authorities International, 2007-2008 survey.

  15. Post-Release Supervision Length • Remainder of sentence (MD, GA) • Percentage of sentence (MN – 33%) • Flat time, varied by offense (KS – 1, 2, 3 yrs) • Flat time, all offenses (NC – 9 months)

  16. Concentrate Resources • Recidivism drops • 50% • in first • 15 months • after release

  17. Release Options The Mechanics of Creating Smart and Effective Pathways to Prison Release Adam Gelb, Director Public Safety Performance Project Pew Center on the States South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission June 27, 2009

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