Most people imprisoned for low-level felonies have several prior convictions, according to a new study from the Center for Criminal Justice Research at Indiana University’s Public Policy Institute. The finding could change the state legislature’s effort to reform criminal sentencing.
Governor Mitch Daniels tried to push through prison reform legislation in 2011 to reduce the number of people held in state prisons and limit the amount of money Indiana spends on inmates. The idea was that many people who are put in prison for low-level felonies such as theft would be better off in treatment or on probation.
But the new study from the Center for Criminal Justice Research shows people who commit those low-level felonies often have been convicted of other crimes. John von Arx is the project manager for the study. He says the data shows prison time isn’t being used for first-time offenders.
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