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Population of state prison

Expert replies
by komal » Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:33 pm
In the years 1971 to 1980, the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy. During those years, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year was equivalent to 9.1 percent of maximum occupancy. From the years 1981 to 1984, the average number of prisoners entering the system each year fell to 7.3 percent of maximum occupancy, yet the population of the state prison system rose to almost 89 percent of maximum occupancy.

Which of the following, if true, helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?

(A) The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.

(B) Beginning in 1981, many of those entering the state prison system had been transferred from prisons in other states.

(C) Between 1981 and 1984, the percentage of prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes increased by 26 percent.

(D) In 1981, a legislative fact-finding committee proposed a revision of the state's parole and work release programs.

(E) Between 1971 and 1984, the proportion of active criminals actually caught and incarcerated in the state prison system has steadily increased.

OA [spoiler]A
[/spoiler]
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by gmatmachoman » Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:48 pm
Hi,

This is a really good one...I suppose this is from Kaplan...

A seems to be right fit ...Let's identify the discrepancy .

From 1971-1984,the average number of prisoners entering the system each year :9.1

the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy...(9.1 X 9=81.9)

Now in 1981-1984, the average number of prisioners entering each year has reduced to 7.3%

SO on calculation the NEW POPULATION of the state prision would be certainly less than 82 %.

But the argument says its 89%...How come?? SO this is a discrepancy!!

Now A introduces a new clause stating that "What If The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.?? "

Since the prisoners duration of stay has increased ,so is the occupancy rate..

EVEN POE could also be use dhere..
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by komal » Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:56 pm
gmatmachoman wrote:Hi,

This is a really good one...I suppose this is from Kaplan...

A seems to be right fit ...Let's identify the discrepancy .

From 1971-1984,the average number of prisoners entering the system each year :9.1

the population of the state prison system was on average about 82 percent of maximum occupancy...(9.1 X 9=81.9)

Now in 1981-1984, the average number of prisioners entering each year has reduced to 7.3%

SO on calculation the NEW POPULATION of the state prision would be certainly less than 82 %.

But the argument says its 89%...How come?? SO this is a discrepancy!!

Now A introduces a new clause stating that "What If The average sentence of a prisoner in the state system increased from 1981 to 1984.?? "

Since the prisoners duration of stay has increased ,so is the occupancy rate..

EVEN POE could also be use dhere..
Very detailed and impressive explanation. Thanks so much machoman : )
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by manihar.sidharth » Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:10 pm
Why is B not right ?
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by theCodeToGMAT » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:13 am
manihar.sidharth wrote:Why is B not right ?
{B} just explains a path from various several paths from which Prisoners could enter prison.. but doesn't explain that why the population was higher..

{A} ---> the average sentence to prisoner increased; meaning that the tenure has increased, increasing the population.
R A H U L
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by [email protected] » Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:20 am
Hi manihar.sidharth,

This is an example of an "explain" question. The correct answer will address each of the 2 main details in the prompt.

Here, we're told…
1) The number of prisoners entering the system FELL
2) The population of prisoners in the system ROSE

We need an answer that accounts for both of these details.

Answer A addresses the details by defining how the number of "new" prisoners could decrease, yet the overall population would still increase. Answer B doesn't actually address either detail, much less the two together.

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Rich
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