NCJ Number
65500
Date Published
1979
Length
84 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT SUGGESTS A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR THE CONFIGURATION OF AN AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM TO IMPROVE JAIL MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOP MORE EFFECTIVE INTAKE AND RELEASE SYSTEMS.
Abstract
THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE LEAA-FUNDED NATIONAL PROJECT, THE JAIL OVERCROWDING AND PRE-TRIAL DETAINEE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE JAIL OVERCROWDING IN SELECTED JURISDICTIONS. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIF., WAS ACCEPTED AS A PHASE II SITE FOR THIS PROJECT. THE REPORT TELLS OF THE ROLE AND PURPOSE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN EXAMINING JAIL INTAKE PROCEDURES AND JAIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, IN APPROACHING INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN SO THAT THE SYSTEM BLENDS WITH THE NEEDS AND PLANS OF OTHER COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, AND IN IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOLLOWED A THREE-STEP COURSE OF PROBLEM DEFINITION, INFORMATION FLOW ASSESSMENT, AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN CONSTRUCTION. DOCUMENTATION COMPRISES AN OVERVIEW OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE INTAKE PROCEDURES INCLUDING ARREST AND INCARCERATION, COMMUNICATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S RECORDS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND WORKLOAD VOLUME. POTENTIAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE COUNTY JAIL, THE SHERIFF'S RECORDS OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, MUNICIPAL COURT, AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROPOSED AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM INCLUDED (1) A MODULAR APPROACH, (2) DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING, AND (3) A SHARED DATABASE. APPENDIXES PROVIDE AN EXCERPT FROM A PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION, A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM DEFINITION VISIT, MATERIAL ON THE JAIL COMPUTER PROPOSAL, AND SAMPLE FORMS. (AOP)