Final answer:
The claim about 80% of offenders in Newman's data set having serious disciplinary histories appears to be false as it is not supported by the provided references. These documents discuss the complexities of the justice system and various factors influencing crime rates and incarceration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that about 80% of offenders in Newman's data set had serious disciplinary histories appears to be false, as no provided reference directly supports this claim. Instead, various studies related to crime and incarceration provide differing data points and analyses. For instance, longer sentences for gun crimes saw a reduction in gun crime by 5%, and higher education levels in a community correlated with higher crime rates in one analysis of 1960 data. Additionally, the racial inequity in the age of mass incarceration and the repercussions on communities and demographic dynamics are serious considerations. The justice system's complexity and the effects of harsh penalties are subjects of ongoing debate and analysis in the context of reducing crime rates.