NEW REPORT SHOWS ARIZONA PRISONS ARE

FILLED WITH VIOLENT AND REPEAT CRIMINALS

County Attorney and Sheriff say first-ever analysis of state prison population gibes with Navajo County’s experience

HOLBROOK, AZ -- April 4, 2010 -- The first-ever statistical analysis of Arizona’s prison population, released today by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (APAAC), shows that 94 percent of Arizona inmates are either violent or repeat felons.

Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon said the APAAC report shows the common belief that Arizona’s prisons are filled with first-time or non-violent criminals is “just flat wrong.”

“This is a comprehensive, in-depth study of Arizona’s entire prison population,” Carlyon said. “It shows that the huge majority of prison inmates shouldn’t be on the street.”

The 90-page report was prepared by Dr. Daryl R. Fischer at APAAC’s request. Fischer, who holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and has written extensively in the field of criminal justice statistics, spent nearly 20 years as research director at the Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC). APAAC, created by the legislature in 1977, provides training, education and support to Arizona prosecutors.

Fischer’s analysis shows that more than 65 percent of DOC inmates are violent offenders and more than 50 percent are currently in prison for violent crimes. Other key findings:

• As of September 30, 2009, some 40,514 inmates were in DOC custody.

• A staggering 38,088 inmates (more than 94 percent of the total) are either violent criminals, repeat criminals or violent repeat criminals.

• Overall, 83.8 percent of inmates (33,896) were found to have one or more prior adult felony convictions or juvenile felony adjudications; some 56 percent (22,639) had two or more prior felonies, while 41.8 percent had three or more.

• Some 44 percent of inmates (17,947) had been previously committed to DOC.

• Nearly 23 percent of inmates (9,260) are suspected or confirmed members of prison or street gangs. Almost 80 percent of these gang members have a history of felony violence. An incredible 99.3 percent are violent or repeat offenders.

“These figures gibe with the experiences of the prosecutors in my office, some of whom have been here more than 25 years,” Carlyon said. “The people who are being sent to prison belong in prison.”

The County Attorney said less than six percent of DOC inmates are non-violent, first-time offenders. Of these, some 62.3 percent are drug traffickers and 54.2 percent are likely undocumented aliens. “So even among the tiny percentage of inmates who might seem on the surface to pose the least concern, the new report shows that most of them aren’t people you’d want on the street,” Carlyon said.

The report notes that DOC’s 2010 budget is $1 billion – 12 percent of Arizona’s total state budget. “With this level of investment in the prison system,” Fischer writes, “it is important to know that tax dollars are being spent wisely.”

Navajo County Sheriff K. C. Clark said the report makes clear that the investment Arizona taxpayers are making in the criminal justice system is paying big dividends in the form of a dramatic drop in serious crime.

“From 1995 to 2008, there was a startling 42 percent drop in serious crime,” Clark said. “The report shows this drop is due in large part to increased incarceration.” The Sheriff said 1995 is a key date because it was the first year after Arizona’s “Truth In Sentencing” laws took effect. These laws abolished parole and require defendants to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences.

The report also highlights the success of Arizona’s prison rehabilitation programs. Inmates who participated in them while in custody were 25 percent less likely to find themselves back in prison. Inmates serving ten or more years in prison showed the greatest reduction in recidivism – more than 45 percent. Conversely, inmates serving less than two years were the only category showing an increase in recidivism.

“These findings tell us that prison rehabilitation programs really do work, but it takes time for inmates to get the full benefit,” County Attorney Carlyon said. “As the report states, cutting the budgets of prison rehabilitation programs to achieve short-term savings would not be in the interests of public safety.”

Carlyon added that the state budget crisis has led to the discussion of some other drastic measures, including staff cuts at DOC and even the early release of inmates. The County Attorney said he thinks such measures would be short-sighted.

“Cutting inmates loose before they are ready, or limiting DOC’s ability to provide rehabilitation programs, would cost society much more in the long run than keeping inmates behind bars,” Carlyon said. “I’m happy that we have this new report and the mountain of statistics in it to help make our case to the Legislature and the taxpayers.”

A copy of the full report is available online at http://apaac.az.gov


	NEW REPORT SHOWS ARIZONA PRISONS ARE FILLED WITH VIOLENT AND REPEAT CRIMINALS County Attorney and Sheriff say first-ever analysis of state prison population gibes with Navajo County’s experience HOLBROOK, AZ -- April 4, 2010 -- The first-ever statistical analysis of Arizona’s prison population, released today by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (APAAC), shows that 94 percent of Arizona inmates are either violent or repeat felons. Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon said the APAAC report shows the common belief that Arizona’s prisons are filled with first-time or non-violent criminals is “just flat wrong.” “This is a comprehensive, in-depth study of Arizona’s entire prison population,” Carlyon said. “It shows that the huge majority of prison inmates shouldn’t be on the street.” The 90-page report was prepared by Dr. Daryl R. Fischer at APAAC’s request. Fischer, who holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and has written extensively in the field of criminal justice statistics, spent nearly 20 years as research director at the Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC). APAAC, created by the legislature in 1977, provides training, education and support to Arizona prosecutors. Fischer’s analysis shows that more than 65 percent of DOC inmates are violent offenders and more than 50 percent are currently in prison for violent crimes. Other key findings: • As of September 30, 2009, some 40,514 inmates were in DOC custody. • A staggering 38,088 inmates (more than 94 percent of the total) are either violent criminals, repeat criminals or violent repeat criminals. • Overall, 83.8 percent of inmates (33,896) were found to have one or more prior adult felony convictions or juvenile felony adjudications; some 56 percent (22,639) had two or more prior felonies, while 41.8 percent had three or more. • Some 44 percent of inmates (17,947) had been previously committed to DOC. • Nearly 23 percent of inmates (9,260) are suspected or confirmed members of prison or street gangs. Almost 80 percent of these gang members have a history of felony violence. An incredible 99.3 percent are violent or repeat offenders. “These figures gibe with the experiences of the prosecutors in my office, some of whom have been here more than 25 years,” Carlyon said. “The people who are being sent to prison belong in prison.” The County Attorney said less than six percent of DOC inmates are non-violent, first-time offenders. Of these, some 62.3 percent are drug traffickers and 54.2 percent are likely undocumented aliens. “So even among the tiny percentage of inmates who might seem on the surface to pose the least concern, the new report shows that most of them aren’t people you’d want on the street,” Carlyon said. The report notes that DOC’s 2010 budget is $1 billion – 12 percent of Arizona’s total state budget. “With this level of investment in the prison system,” Fischer writes, “it is important to know that tax dollars are being spent wisely.” Navajo County Sheriff K. C. Clark said the report makes clear that the investment Arizona taxpayers are making in the criminal justice system is paying big dividends in the form of a dramatic drop in serious crime. “From 1995 to 2008, there was a startling 42 percent drop in serious crime,” Clark said. “The report shows this drop is due in large part to increased incarceration.” The Sheriff said 1995 is a key date because it was the first year after Arizona’s “Truth In Sentencing” laws took effect. These laws abolished parole and require defendants to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. The report also highlights the success of Arizona’s prison rehabilitation programs. Inmates who participated in them while in custody were 25 percent less likely to find themselves back in prison. Inmates serving ten or more years in prison showed the greatest reduction in recidivism – more than 45 percent. Conversely, inmates serving less than two years were the only category showing an increase in recidivism. “These findings tell us that prison rehabilitation programs really do work, but it takes time for inmates to get the full benefit,” County Attorney Carlyon said. “As the report states, cutting the budgets of prison rehabilitation programs to achieve short-term savings would not be in the interests of public safety.” Carlyon added that the state budget crisis has led to the discussion of some other drastic measures, including staff cuts at DOC and even the early release of inmates. The County Attorney said he thinks such measures would be short-sighted. “Cutting inmates loose before they are ready, or limiting DOC’s ability to provide rehabilitation programs, would cost society much more in the long run than keeping inmates behind bars,” Carlyon said. “I’m happy that we have this new report and the mountain of statistics in it to help make our case to the Legislature and the taxpayers.” A copy of the full report is available online at http://apaac.az.gov