Short timers and idle populations in overcrowded prisons

Abstract

Correctional systems across the United States continue to face persistent challenges related to overcrowding, limited resources, and the need to balance institutional safety with rehabilitative goals. Most efforts to reduce prison crowding have focused primarily on reducing admissions and expanding early release, often overlooking a critical subgroup: short-timers—individuals who enter prison with less than one year to serve. This study uses administrative data from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) to examine whether short-timers are systematically excluded from rehabilitative programming—a practice known as warehousing—and how this exclusion influences behavioral outcomes that exacerbate inefficiencies in system processing, ultimately worsening crowding. Results show that short-timers are significantly more likely to be warehoused, even when they are willing to participate in treatment. They also experience higher rates of program withdrawal. Importantly, the combination of short-timer status and warehousing is linked to increased non-serious misconduct, indicating that lack of engagement elevates behavioral risk. These findings highlight the compounded effects of short stays and institutional practices, emphasizing the need for targeted reforms that expand access to programming, reduce misconduct, and support sustainable decarceration efforts.

John Ursino

Ph.D. Candidate

My research focuses on advancing evidence-based practices in criminal justice. Primary areas of research include evaluating and constructing risk-need assessments to enhance decision-making processes, addressing challenges related to prison and jail crowding, and exploring correctional system reforms.

Abigail Hayes

Ph.D. Student

My research focuses on the issues and operations of correctional institutions, violence in carceral spaces, and the reentry process of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Baylee Allen-Flores

Alumna

My research interests are risk-needs assessments, implementation science, prison misconduct, and prison policy.

Zachary Hamilton

Professor

My research centers on innovation in risk and needs assessment development.