Contraband in the Courts: Exploring How Prison Contraband Offenses are Filed and Disposed in the Courts

• In Event: Latest Research on Institutional Corrections and Contraband Management

Abstract

Public trust accompanies the accountability of correctional institutions in securing the safety of both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff, as well as facilitating successful rehabilitation efforts. However, one significant source of mistrust is correctional contraband. Smuggling contraband brings criminal activity into and institution that not only involves incarcerated individuals, but also their visitors and correctional staff. As such, it is important to ensure that contraband offenses are addressed fairly and adequately. However, there is little known about how contraband offenses are processed when compared to similar offenses in the community (e.g., other obstruction of justice offenses, other drug offenses, other weapons offenses). We address this knowledge gap by examining the processing of contraband-related offenses, using publicly available state court data. We compare those cases in carceral settings to similar offenses in the community; examine other charges brought in these cases; explore how often charges are dropped between filing and disposition; and describe sentencing for these cases. These analyses allow for a clearer understanding of how contraband offenses are addressed when compared to their community counterparts.

Authors

• Walter Campbell, Urban Institute

• KiDeuk Kim, Urban Institute