10-20-Life Felons Admitted to Prison

Cumulative Admissions by Quarter

The 10-20-Life legislation imposed mandatory minimum sentences for crimes committed on or after July 1, 1999. The delay between the effective date of the legislation and the beginning of substantial prison admissions with the new sentences reflects the time required to arrest, try, and sentence felons for the crimes they committed.

• Through June 2006, a total of 4,825 inmates have been admitted to prison with a sentence imposed under the 10-20-Life legislation.
  
  
• The largest group of inmates sentenced under the legislation to date 2,082 or (43.2%) was convicted as felons in possession of a gun, receiving the 3-year mandatory minimum prison term.
  
  
• Inmates sentenced to the longer mandatory sentences include: 1,981 inmates (41.1%) received 10 years, 258 (5.3%) received 20 years, 421 (8.7%) received 25 years or longer, and 83 (1.7%) received Life.
  
  
• For this report inmates are categorized based on the longest mandatory minimum sentence they have received. An inmate sentenced for more than one crime may have received more than one mandatory sentence.
  
  
• This report combines into one category those whose longest mandatory minimum sentence is 25 years or more (excluding life), because the law provides for a range of sentences from 25 years to life for those who fire a gun resulting in injury or death. A separate category for Life is provided as well.

10-20-LIFE INMATES:
TOTAL ADMITTED