Understanding the Overlooked Trajectories of Jail Admissions

• In Event: Understanding the Jail Population in New York City: Findings from the Misdemeanor Justice Project

Abstract

Although jails are a critical criminal justice contact point, little is known about the temporal patterns of individuals admitted to jails. In the midst of the dramatic decline in jail admissions in New York City, it is important to explore the temporal patterns of those admitted to jails in an attempt to identify groups that may benefit from further interventions. Using a group-based trajectory modeling technique, we will assess the heterogeneity of those admitted and readmitted to jails, 10 years after the initial discharge. We will also account for time spent in jail for each admission to more accurately measure time at risk in the community. Further, we will examine demographic and criminogenic factors associated with each group. This is the first systematic analysis to evaluate temporal patterns of jail admissions over a 10-year span. We hope our results will provide guidance for policies that aim to reduce readmissions to jails. We also hope to highlight the importance of understanding the different trajectories of jail admissions.

Authors

• Jaeok Kim, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Research Network on Misdemeanor Justice

• Preeti Chauhan, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY