About Sourcebook
Please see our Notice to users on the homepage
The Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics brings together data from more than 100 published and unpublished sources about many aspects of criminal justice in the United States. Since 1973, the project has been located at the University at Albany, School of Criminal Justice, and compiled and managed by staff at the Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Center in Albany, New York.
- Suggested citation
- Contacting Sourcebook
- Data coverage and quality
- Symbols used in tables
- Acknowledgements
Suggested citation
Maguire, Kathleen, ed. Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics. University at Albany, Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Center, (Table xxxxxx ). Available: (Insert table URL here) [Access date].
Contacting Sourcebook
We welcome questions, comments, and contributions from site users.
E-mail: asksb@albany.edu
Telephone: (518) 442-5608
Telefax: (518) 442-5716
Write:
Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Center
University at Albany
135 Western Avenue
Draper 241
Albany, New York 12222
Data coverage and quality
Many potential sources of criminal justice statistical information are reviewed for inclusion in Sourcebook, among them reports from State and Federal agencies, research centers, universities, private companies, and other organizations. The data selected meet two standards. First, the information must be national in scope or of nationwide relevance. Where possible, the data are displayed by regions, States, and cities. Data available for limited groups of cities, States, or jurisdictions are included if they pertain to a topic of major interest. Second, the data must be methodologically sound with respect to sampling procedures, data collection methods, estimation procedures, and reliability of the information. Data in Sourcebook are only as reliable and complete as the sources from which they are taken. Responsibility for the quality of data is borne by the original source; responsibility for its selection and manner of presentation rests with the Sourcebook staff.
For sources that use complex survey methods or that require a long list of definitions of terms, explanatory appendices are included. These appendices explain terms, contain additional information, and/or provide clarification of the data presented. Users with strong interest in particular tables are advised to consult the original source for a fuller explanation of data collection procedures, data exclusions, definitions of terms, and other details.
Because the Sourcebook includes data from so many sources, similar or identical terms sometimes have different meanings when used in different tables. To clarify the meaning of terms as they are used by various sources, definitions are provided in notes that accompany tables and in appendices to which table notes refer. Also, reporting periods differ among sources. It is best to check a table's title and explanatory note to verify the precise periods covered by data presented. Readers should exercise caution when combining or comparing data from different sources or in examining data from the same source over time.
Symbols used in tables
The following symbols have been used uniformly, unless otherwise noted in specific tables:
- 0 Represents the quantity zero or rounds to less than half the unit of measurement shown.
- NA Data not separately enumerated, tabulated, or otherwise available.
- X Figure not applicable because column heading, stub line, or other contingencies make an entry impossible or meaningless.
- B Not computed because the base figure is too small from which to generate a derived figure that meets statistical standards for reliability or figure does not otherwise meet standards of precision set by the source.
- ( ) Figure in parentheses is the base on which percentages or other statistics in the table column or row have been calculated. A lower case letter in parentheses in a table cell is a footnote entry.
- -- No entry in original source; reason not differentiated in original source.
- Y Indicates that the relevant attribute is present.
Where a different symbol meaning is used in order to maintain clarity within the context of a given table, this is noted for that particular table.
Acknowledgements
The information provided on this website is reviewed, selected, organized, and managed by Kathleen Maguire, Ph.D., Project Director and Sourcebook Editor. Technical support and development are provided by Jude Kaiser, the project's ITS Specialist. Assistant Editors Andrew Davies, Christopher Dum, and Giza Lopes (Rodick); and Editorial Assistant Marcy O'Connor, prepare data tables and supporting material, and aid in all the production tasks necessary to the website.