DOI: 10.3886/icpsr37034.v1
title: Examining Prison Stays in Michigan, 1985-2008
title: Version 1

description: These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This research sought to analyze the length of time served by state prisoners in Michigan from 1985 to 2008. It was conducted to address research that showed Michigan had the longest prison stays in the United States of America, the substantial impact that time served had upon state prison populations, and to assess the effect of parole and sentencing policy on time-served. The research utilized National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP) data available through the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) in order to build upon past-research and contribute to the understanding of state-specific patterns and trends across offenses and racial groups.
In order to address policy effects upon time served, the purpose of this study was to contextualize patterns of time served across 20 years within the parole and sentencing policy changes in Michigan; the impact of reforms in 1999 were of particular focus.There are no data files available with this study. Only syntax files used by the researcher(s) are provided.
description: In order to address policy effects upon time served, the purpose of this study was to contextualize patterns of time served across 20 years within the parole and sentencing policy changes in Michigan; the impact of reforms in 1999 were of particular focus.
description: A secondary analysis of National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP) data was conducted for the years 1985 through 2008. An initial analysis included all years to show trends across the full time period. A second analysis examined the differences between two cohorts: admissions to prison between 1997-1998 and admissions between 2000-2001. The two cohorts were followed for the same amount of time, seven years. Noting that 2008 is the final year of the larger NCRP dataset, this was the longest stretch of time the analysis could examine releases for those admitted to prison under the new sentencing guidelines and truth-in-sentencing policies enacted in 1999.
description: Each case in the National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP) dataset includes variables on demographic characteristics, offense for the conviction, length of stay in prison, prior jail time, prior felonies, year of admission, and year of release.
description: Presence of Common Scales: 
					None
description: Response Rates: 
					Not Available
description: Datasets: 
					
						DS1: Dataset
description: mail questionnaire
description: All persons admitted to prison, released from prison, discharged from parole, or in prison at year's end 1985-2008 in the United States.
				   		Smallest Geographic Unit: State
description: Individuals released from prison in Michigan from 1985-2008.