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12 Just. Rsch. & Pol'y 1 (2010)

handle is hein.journals/jcerhadp12 and id is 1 raw text is: 








SPECIAL   ISSUE ON   SENTENCING AND CORRECTIONS IN THE STATES


0   INTRODUCTION


    William  Bales
    Associate Professor
    College of Criminology  and Criminal Justice
    Florida State University

    Richard  Kern
    Director
    Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission

    JRP Guest  Editors




This special issue of Justice Research and Policy contains invited articles on crimi-
nal sentencing and corrections, a criminological topic that, arguably, generates the
most attention from criminal justice system policy makers, lawmakers, and judges.
Nationwide, the steep growth in our incarcerated population has generated a
prolific amount of discussion both in the academic literature and the popular
media.  Over the last two decades, our national prison population has nearly
tripled to the point that it is estimated that more than one in every 100 adults
is now confined in an American jail or prison.' The increased costs associated
with housing so many inmates are daunting. In 1987, the states collectively spent
$10.6 billion of their general funds on corrections, while in 2007 they spent more
than $44 billion - a 315% jump.2
    With so many  states struggling in these economically lean times to balance
their budgets, a question frequently asked is whether or not the huge investment in
corrections spending is reaping satisfactory returns vis-a-vis enhanced public safety



    1 One in 100: Behind Bars in American 2008. The PEW Center on the States, Febru-
ary 2008.
    2 Ibid

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