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The effect of sentence length on recidivism is an important area of research in the fields of Sociology and Criminology. With all of the social and economic considerations that go into the effectiveness of a correctional institution, there is a consistent demand for making sure these institutions are meeting their societal needs. This study analyzed the implications of sentence length on recidivism when controlling for type of crime, length of sentence, sex, race and age. This study also analyzed the effect of interventions and infractions inside a correctional institution on recidivism. The data used for this study was titled, "Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994," and was provided by the United States Department of Justice (Bureau of Justice Statistics). The aim of this study was to see if longer sentences continuously reduced the probability of reoffending once released. Using cross-tabulations, survival analysis and logistic regressions, the probabilities for reoffending become stable from a moderate (4-10 year) to a high (11-25 year) sentence length, supporting the idea that longer sentences may not be more effective for reducing recidivism. Also, individuals with criminal history, especially previous prison experience, had higher probabilities of reoffending. These analyses were done while controlling for age, race, sex, type of crime, sentence length and criminal history. |
