Violence and Safety in American Corrections:

What the Research Shows

A Briefing for……

How do we measure safety in Corrections?

• Follow principles of good social science research (large, random samples).

• Gather data on a wide variety of performance measures.

• Standardize the occurrence of violence by population, to understand its relative frequency/prevalence.

• Take into account the national trends that affect prison populations and facility operation.

Macro Trends in American Corrections

• Dramatic Population Increases fueled by sentencing reforms and political environment.

• De-institutionalization of the mentally ill resulting in Corrections becoming the primary custodians.*

• The increasing power of Corrections Unions.

• National efforts to collect and share performance data—thus boosting research capabilities.

• A National discussion on inmate reentry and its implications for public safety.

What the Current Research Shows: America’s Prisons and Jails are Safe and Getting Safer.

• Over the last twenty-five years, the incarcerated population has increased 330%.

• Over the same time period, a host of key indicators of safety and order have improved dramatically.

• The use of restrictive measures (like administrative segregation) has also decreased.

• Thus, as several researchers have shown, these gains are likely the result of correctional leadership and innovative management.*

Population Growth• The number of individuals incarcerated in the

United States has increased 330% from 1980 to 2004.

Homicide and Suicide• Homicide and Suicide in Prisons and Jails occur

very infrequently and have declined dramatically, even while the incarcerated population has exploded.

Prison RiotsRiots: The number and rate of prison riots has declined

dramatically from a peak in 1973 to a rare event in recent years, despite the increase in prison population.

Staff Homicides: have declined 100% from 1982 to 2001.

Prison Escapes: have declined 95%

from 1981 to 2001.

Inmate-on-Inmate assaults have decreased 29% from 1984 to 2000

Assault and Sexual Assault (Cont’d)

• Assaults: In his testimony before the Prison Commission, BJS statistician Allen Beck stated that the likelihood of an individual inmates experiencing assault is 7%.

• Sexual Assault: The recent BJS study on sexual assault found 3.15 allegations of sexual violence per 1,000 inmates held in 2004. In State prisons, fewer than 20% of allegations of non-consensual sexual acts were substantiated.*

Comparing Correctional Facilities and

the Community-At-Large:

The rate of inmates held in protective custody has declined 69% from 1986 to 2001.

The use of administrative segregation has not

increased with population growth.

The percentage of inmates held in maximum security facilities has decreased 30% from

1980-2004 (excludes federal prisons).

What has happened in American Corrections in the past 25 years?

• The incarcerated population has increased dramatically.

• Homicides, suicides, riots, staff homicides and prison escapes have all decreased dramatically.

• Available data indicates a decline in assaults; assault and sexual assault are not considerably higher in jail and prison than the community at large.

• These gains have been achieved alongside a decrease in the use of restrictive measures like protective custody and administrative segregation.

What does this tell us?• In conclusion, America’s prisons and

jails are safe and getting safer. • Many factors contribute to safety and

effectiveness, including resources, staff training, programming for inmates, transparency and accountability.

• To achieve safety gains in this context, high quality correctional leadership and effective management are absolutely essential.