2011
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Balancing Punishment and Compassion for Seriously Ill Prisoners
By Williams, Brie A.; Sudore, Rebecca L.; Greifinger, Robert; Morrison, R. Sean.
Anyone involved with the compassionate release process needs to read this article. The “medical eligibility criteria of many compassionate-release guidelines—which often assume a definitive prognosis—are clinically flawed, and procedural barriers may further limit their rational application” (p. 122). The authors explain how these flaws can be mended. Sections of this article include: the history and rationale of compassionate release; the compassionate release process; medical-related flaws in ... Read More
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5 pages
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2009
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Extraordinary and Compelling: A Re-Examination of the Justifications for Compassionate Release
By Berry, William W., III.
"This article considers the theoretical justifications for compassionate release in an attempt to develop a framework to evaluate what circumstances rise to the level of 'extraordinary and compelling'" (p. 1). Sections following an abstract include: introduction; the case for reconsidering compassionate release; compassionate release in the federal system; the justification for compassionate release; when compassionate release benefits the state; and conclusion.... Read More
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42 p.
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2009
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Increased Earned Release From Prison: Impacts of a 2003 Law on Recidivism and Crime Costs, Revised
By Drake, E.K.; Barnoski, R.; Aos, S..
Washington State Institute for Public Policy (Olympia, WA).
The effects of increasing earned release time (similar to "good time") from 33% to 50% of an inmate's total sentence are assessed. Sections after a summary include: background -- earned release time and eligibility criteria for 50% level; evaluation design; recidivism findings; incapacitation effects; and cost-benefit analysis. It appears the law increases property crimes, reduces felony recidivism, and results in total savings of $15,359 per early released inmate.... Read More
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16 p.
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2009
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The Myths and Realities of Correctional Severity: Evidence from the National Corrections Reporting Program on Sentencing Practices
By Pfaff, John F..
"This paper examines one potential source of growth [in the U.S. prison population] that has received surprisingly little rigorous attention: changes in time actually served in prison" (p. 1). Following an abstract, this paper includes the following sections: an overview of release trends; determinants of sentence length; and conclusion. The author finds that prison growth is not due to time served but to changes in admissions.... Read More
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75 p.
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2009
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Heinous, Atrocious, and Cruel: Apprendi, Interdeterminate Sentencing, and the Meaning of Punishment
By Bell, W. David.
The impact of indeterminate sentencing on the parole release process is discussed. Sections of this article include: abstract; introduction; unsuitable life sentences -- indeterminate sentences are sentences with discretionary parole release, California uses both determinate and indeterminate sentences, California's parole release process, and prisoners serve much longer sentences then their enumerated term of years; which body find which facts -- parole discretion and unsuitable life sentences... Read More
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80 p.
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2009
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Cutting Corrections Costs: Earned Time Policies for State Prisoners
By Lawrence, Alison.
National Conference of State Legislatures. Criminal Justice Program (Denver, CO); Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew Center on the States. Public Safety Performance Project (Washington, DC).
The use of "earned time" to "reduce the costs of incarceration and help offenders succeed when they return to the community" is examined (p. 1) Topics discussed include: types of earned time -- most common are education participation and work; quantities of work time; public safety and cost savings; recent expansion of earned time policies; expanding earned time pays off in Washington; reducing recidivism in Kansas; and incentive credits in Pennsylvania.... Read More
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14 p.
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