[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17892-17893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9444]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of Justice Programs


Bureau of Justice Statistics; Agency Information Collection 
Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Request OMB emergency approval: National Prisoner Statistics: 
Prison Population Reports Midyear Counts (NPS-1A) and Advance Yearend 
Counts (NPS-1B)--Revision of a currently approved collection.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of 
Justice Statistics has submitted the following information collection 
request, utilizing emergency review procedures, to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
Section 1320.13(a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2)(iii) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995. The Bureau of Justice Statistics has determined that it 
cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under 
this Part because normal clearance procedures are reasonably likely to 
prevent or disrupt the collection of information. Therefore, OMB 
approval has been requested by April 15, 1998. If granted, the 
emergency approval is valid only for 180 days.
    The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments 
from the public and affected agencies. All comments should be directed 
to OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: Attention: Mr. 
Dennis Marvich, 202-395-3122, Department of Justice Desk Officer, 
Washington, DC 20503. Comments regarding the emergency submission of 
this information collection may also be submitted via facsimile to Mr. 
Marvich at 202-395-7285. During the first 60 days of this same period, 
a regular review of this information collection is also being 
undertaken. During the regular review period, BJS requests written 
comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies 
concerning the proposed collection of information. Comments are 
encouraged and will be accepted until June 9, 1998. During the 60-day 
regular review All comments and suggestions, or questions regarding 
additional information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed 
information collection instrument with instructions, should be directed 
to Mr. James Stephan, Statistician, Corrections Statistics Branch, 
Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. 
Department of Justice, 810 7th Street N.W. Washington, DC 20531. 
Comments regarding this information collection may also be submitted 
via facsimile to Mr. Stephan at 202-307-1463.
    Your comments should address one or more of the following four 
points:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; e.g. permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Overview of this information collection:
    (1) Type of information collection. Revision of a currently 
approved information collection.
    (2) The title of the Form/Collection: National Prisoner Statistics: 
Prison Population Reports Midyear Counts (NPS-1A); and Prison 
Population Report Advance Yearend Counts (NPS-1B).
    (3) The agency form number and the applicable component of the 
Department sponsoring the collection. Form: NPS-1A; and NPS-1B. 
Correction Statistics, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice 
Programs, United States Department of Justice.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked to respond, as well as a 
brief abstract: Primary: State Departments of Corrections. Others: The 
Federal Bureau of Prisons. For the NPS-1A Form, 52 central reporters 
(one from each State, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau 
of Prisons) responsible for keeping records on inmates will be asked to 
provide information for the following categories:
    (a) As of June 30 of the current year and June 30 of the previous 
year, the number of male and female inmates under this jurisdiction 
with maximum sentences of more than one year, one year or less; and 
unsentenced inmates; and
    (b) As of June 30 of the current year, and June 30 of the previous 
year, the number of male and female inmates in their custody with 
maximum sentences

[[Page 17893]]

of more than one year, one year or less; and unsentenced inmates.
    For the NPS-1B form, 52 central reporters (one from each State, the 
District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons) responsible 
for keeping records on inmates will be asked to provide information for 
the following categories:
    (a) As of December 31 of the current year, and December 31 of the 
previous year, the number of male and female inmates under their 
jurisdiction with maximum sentences of more than one year, one year or 
less; and unsentenced inmates;
    (b) The number of inmates housed in county or other local authority 
correctional facilities, or in other state or Federal facilities on 
December 31 of the current year solely to ease prison crowding;
    As of the direct result of state prison crowding during the current 
year, the number of inmates released via court order, administrative 
procedure or statute, accelerated release, sentence reduction, 
emergency release, or other expedited release; and
    (d) The aggregate rated, operational, and design capacities, by 
sex, of each State's correctional facilities at yearend. The Bureau of 
Justice Statistics uses this information in published reports and for 
the U.S. Congress, Executive Office of the President, practitioners, 
researchers, students, the media, and others interested in criminal 
justice statistics.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time needed for an average respondent to respond: 52 respondents 
each taking an average 2.5 hours to respond.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 130 annual burden hours.
    If additional information is required during the first 60 days of 
this same regular review period, contact: Mr. Robert B. Briggs, 
Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information 
Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, Suite 850, 
Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: April 6, 1998.
Robert B. Briggs,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 98-9444 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-18-M