prisons Archives - Sentencing Stats

H.R. 4261, the Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Effective (SAFE) Justice Act

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Mark Allenbaugh

On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Jason Lewis (R-MN) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at safely reining in the size and associated costs of the federal criminal code and prison system. A press release with a link to the legislation can be here: https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-lewis-introduce-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-legislation

What Caused the Federal Prison Population Explosion?

Posted on October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 by Mark Allenbaugh

November 1, 2017 marks the 30th anniversary that the Federal Sentencing Guidelines went into effect. Since then, the federal prison population has grown over 400% while the U.S. population has grown only 37%. It’s budget, now topping $7 billion annually–has grown over 500% adjusting for inflation, while spending per inmate has increased a mere 18%.