Using risk assessment to inform sentencing decisions for nonviolent offenders in Virginia

Matthew Kleiman, Brian J. Ostrom, Fred L. Cheesman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Virginia has abolished parole and adopted truth-in-sentencing guidelines for persons convicted of felonies. As part of this reform, the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission developed a method for diverting 25% of nonviolent, prison-bound offenders into alternative sanction programs using risk assessment to identify the lowest risk offenders. This article describes an evaluation of the effectiveness of this instrument, used by judges at the time of sentencing. It serves to advance an understanding of the factors associated with recidivism and the policy implications of using risk assessment to divert offenders from incarceration at a time when states are facing fiscal challenges.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)106-132
Number of pages27
JournalCrime and Delinquency
Volume53
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Law

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