NCJ Number
40977
Journal
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONS Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1977) Pages: 33-38
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE OPERATIONS OF THE FIRST CAREER CRIMINAL PROGRAM (THE NEW ORLEANS, LA, CAREER CRIMINAL BUREAU) AND ONE OF THE NEW PROGRAMS (MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY, TN, CAREER CRIMINAL PROGRAM).
Abstract
SINCE 1975, $62 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS HAS BEEN CHANNELED THROUGH LEAA INTO CAREER CRIMINAL PROGRAMS IN 18 CITIES AND ONE STATE. SPECIAL PROSECUTIVE TECHNIQUES UTILIZED BY THE PROGRAM INCLUDE: IDENTIFICATION OR TARGETING OF INDIVIDUALS WITH LONG CRIMINAL RECORDS, RECOMMENDATION OF HIGH BONDS FOR TARGETED CRIMINALS WHO ARE REARRESTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES, SPEEDY AND VIGOROUS PROSECUTION, AND IMPOSITION OF MAXIMUM SENTENCES UPON CONVICTION. ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF CAREER CRIMINAL PROGRAMS ON OVERALL CRIME RATES, THE PROGRAMS ARE HAVING A DEMONSTRABLE EFFECT ON THE CONVICTION AND INCARCERATION OF REPEAT OFFENDERS. THIS EFFECT IS INDICATED BY: INCREASED PROSECUTION UNDER STATE HABITUAL CRIMINAL STATUTES, FEW CAREER CRIMINALS RECEIVING REDUCED SENTENCES THROUGH PLEA BARGAINING, INCREASED CONVICTION RATES FOR THOSE CHARGED WITH THE MOST SERIOUS FELONIES, AND REDUCED TIME SPAN BETWEEN ARREST AND DISPOSITION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...MSP