Potential Impact of Mandatory Minimum Sentencing on Existing Division of Corrections Adult Offender Inmate Capacity

Abstract

This report was prepared for the Alaska Criminal Code Revision Commission to provide its members with an assessment of the potential impact on the Alaska Division (later Department) of Corrections adult offender inmate capacity likely to result from enactment of mandatory minimum sentencing provisions. The study projected that DOC would need at least 200 more secure units by 1981 if mandatory minimum sentencing was applied to second or subsequent felony offenders for a limited number of felony violent crimes. Application of mandatory minimums for such offenders to ALL felonies would likely result in DOC's entire capacity being used up within three years after enactment of minimum sentencing guidelines.