Stephanie Minor-Harper, Lawrence A. Greenfeld, Bureau of Justice Statistics

July 1, 1985    NCJ 97995

Data were obtained from 29 States and the District of Columbia and cover approximately three-fifths of the Nation's total State prison admissions and releases. The overwhelming majority of those admitted to and released from prison in 1982 were male, and almost half of both groups were black. The median age of those admitted to prison was 25 years; the median age at release was 27 years. Violent offenders accounted for 37.5 percent of those admitted to prison and 35.9 percent of those released. Burglary and robbery were the most common offenses occasioning imprisonment. The median sentence for those admitted to prison was 51 months, and 16 months was the median time served for releasees. About 3 percent of those admitted to prison had received a life sentence, with 2 of every 3 life sentences imposed for murder. Nearly three-fifths of those released on a life sentence served 7 years or less; nearly a quarter served 3 years or less. Fifty-two percent of those released were on parole, compared to 72 percent in 1977. In addition to presenting tabular data for 1982 inmates by State, data are also presented for State prison admissions for selected years from 1926 to 1982.

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