Name or Report: Rhode Island Department of Corrections Annual Report 2001
Organizational Affiliation: Rhode Island Department of Corrections
Authors: Ashbel T. Wall II (Director, Planning & Research Unit), Bree E. Derrick (Principal Planner), The Planning & Research Unit, Administrative Division of the RI Department of Corrections
Date: Winter 2001
Contact Info:Department of Corrections. The John O. Pastore Government Center .40 Howard Ave. Cranston , R.I. 02920 . (401) 462-2611
Pages: 31
Content Summary
This report primarily provides data on the prison population of the RI Department of Corrections for the year 2001. The report begins by providing charts that track the average population of the prison over the ten-year period that began with the fiscal year 1992 and ended with the year 2001. The majority of the information included in the organized analysis pertains primarily to the incarcerated population as of December 31, 2001. The report is by and large composed of a multitude of charts, tables, and graphs that attempt to break down the various factors that characterized the prison population as of the end of the year 2001. The majority of the data is separated into the principle categories of sex, race, and gender. Located at the bottom of each page of the report is a succinct summary of all the chief findings. Basic information one can expect to find in the report includes the different reasons for incarceration, the population of people awaiting trial, the number and length of sentences for inmates. Moreover, one can expect to find the amount of prisoners kept in the different levels of security as well as the percentage of individuals on home confinement, probation, or parole. The report concludes with a page of tables that illustrate the race and gender dynamics of the RIDOC workforce.
Major Findings
In terms of the total population of prisoners awaiting trial, women were most likely to be charged with committing non-violent crimes such as prostitution, shoplifting, and possession of cocaine. On the other hand, men were charged more for committing violent crimes, which primarily consisted of acts of robbery, murder, and child molestation. Of the prison population that had already been sentenced, blacks accounted for more than 1/4 of the population at a rate of 29.1 %. Hispanics accounted for a significant portion of the population, making up 15.4% of the population. Native Americans accounted for .4% of the population while Asians comprised 1%.
Of the inmates that were newly sentenced, a majority received a sentence of six months or less, demonstrating that lack of severity of these offenses. It was also the case that in terms of parole, most offenders were supervised primarily as a direct result of having had committed violent crimes. Drug offenses were the second highest characteristic of individuals on parole. The largest proportion of incarcerated men fell between the ages of 21-39 while women were most likely to be between the ages of 30-39.
Unaddressed Issues or Concerns
While the report offers many important characteristics of the prison makeup during the year 2001, it would have been more beneficial had more of the data been broken down in terms of race. For example, it would be greatly informative if a graph was included that displays the direct correlation of the race of an offender with the crime he/ she was serving time for, as well as the length of the prison statement. If the data was presented in this way, the extent to which racial disparities exist would be much more clearer. For example, it is estimated that African Americans represent more than 57% of those incarcerated for drug offenses in state prisons (Coker, 2003). Knowing this information, it becomes easier to understand why blacks are so highly overpopulated in state prisons. The over-policing of certain poor minority neighborhoods also contributes to racial disproportions in state facilities. Because the data offers so much insight into the various characteristics of the prison population it would have also been useful if an analysis and conclusion of all the data was incorporated.
How to Access Report
http://www.doc.state.ri.us/divisions/admin.htm