Despite recent dips in the overall crime rate, violent crime rates remain at historic highs, and more than 10 million violent crimes were committed in 1993. The threat of violent crime is exaggerated. In 1993, only 18 percent of the 8.7 million violent crimes against whites were committed by blacks, while about 80 percent of the 1.3 million violent crimes against blacks were by blacks. Revolving door justice is rare. Barely one criminal is imprisoned for every 100 violent crimes, and about one in three violent crimes is committed by someone on probation, parole or pretrial release.
Prisons are full of first-time drug offenders.
Since 1974 more than 90 percent of all state prisoners have been violent or repeat offenders. Persons on probation and parole pose little threat. Because of mandatory sentencing, most prisoners now do long, hard time. Despite mandatory laws, between 1985 and 1992, the average maximum sentence declined about 15 percent, from 78 months to 67 months, and in 1992, the actual time served by violent felons was 43 months. More violent juvenile felons are being handled like adults.