Implications of Local Jail Usage for Sentencing Decisions

• In Event: Race, Jails and Judicial Decision-Making

Abstract

Theories of court decision making suggest that sentencing decisions are influenced by practical considerations of the court actors. Separately, research on jails indicates that critical variation exists across jurisdictions in the capacity and usage of local jail beds. This paper seeks to explore whether and how jail usage affects court decision making. We examine 15 years of felony sentencing data from Florida to explore the relationship between jail utilization and decisions to incarcerate in either a jail or prison. Findings have important implications for theory, research, and policy centered on understanding how previously overlooked aspects of criminal justice administration might influence sentencing outcomes above and beyond the characteristics of the offense and the offender.

Authors

• Joshua S. Long, University of Cincinnati

• Joshua Cochran, University of Cincinnati

• John Wooldredge, University of Cincinnati