Should Researchers Separate Jail From Prison Sentences in Sentencing Research?
Michael P. Harrington University of Nebraska at Omaha Recent research has examined the use of the total incarceration variable. The results of these studies have shown that the factors affecting a decision to sentence an offender to jail are different than those influencing a prison sentence. These studies have suggested that disentangling jail and prison sentences will enhance our understanding of how race influences sentence outcomes. Neither of these studies examined the sentence-length portion using the expanded definition of the total incarceration variable. The research presented here examines the validity of using the total incarceration variable and whether the same factors affect the length of a jail sentence as those affecting the length of a prison sentence. The implication for future research is discussed. Key Words: sentencing prison jail Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Vol. 24, No. 4, 462-478 (2008) DOI: 10.1177/1043986208321843 CiteULike Complore Connotea Del.i
