Consequences of Truth-in-Sentencing
The Mississippi Case
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12664458 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter B Wood (Mississippi State University, corresponding author), R Gregory Dunaway (Mississippi State University) |
| Year | 2003 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 139-154 |
| Publication date | 2003-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Punishment & Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1462-4745 • E-ISSN: 1741-3095 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/146247450352001 |
| OpenAlex | W2000964691 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 1 |
Like many other states, in the mid-1990s Mississippi responded to growing public fear of crime and mounting dissatisfaction with its criminal justice system by implementing a series of ‘get tough’ measures designed to control crime. Perhaps the primary vehicle for reform has been the enactment of ‘truth-in sentencing’ legislation. Truth-in-sentencing (TIS) does not imply a specific correctional policy, but covers a variety of reforms designed to improve the delivery of proportionate punishments and promote stability and predictability in administering criminal justice. In 1995 Mississippi implemented a TIS law which mandated that felons sentenced to prison must serve at least 85 percent of their sentence. Mississippi’s TIS law is unique compared to those passed in other states in that the 85 percent requirement applies to all groups of offenders, including non-violent offenders. The comprehensive nature of Mississippi’s TIS law has had a dramatic impact on the state’s criminal justice system - particularly its correctional component. This article examines both the direct effect of TIS on correctional populations, as well as the unanticipated impact of TIS on patterns of judicial decision making and political and economic dynamics related to prison construction in rural counties
Criminal justice · Criminal law · Criminology · Economic Justice · Legislation · Political science · Politics · Prison · Sociology · State (computer science · Variety (cybernetics · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Criminal Law and Evidence · Education Discipline and Inequality · Law · Law, Rights, and Freedoms · Legal Systems and Judicial Processes · Psychology
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,21 |
| Citation span | 2007 - 2021 (15) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |