NCJ Number
37216
Date Published
1974
Length
118 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF THE CLEVELAND IMPACT CITIES PROGRAM TO DETER POTENTIAL OFFENDERS BY MAXIMIZING THE RSKS OF APPREHENSION, PROSECUTION, AND CONVICTION BY ASSURING SWIFT PROCESSING IN THE COURTS.
Abstract
THE ADJUDICATION OPERATING PROGRAM WAS COMPOSED OF THE PRETRIAL AND POST-ADJUDICATION DELAY REDUCTION PROJECT AND THE CLEVELAND OFFENDER REHABILITATION PROJECT. THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES OF THESE PROJECTS WERE TO REDUCE THE TIME A DEFENDANT SPENDS AWAITING TRIAL AND THE TIME THAT A CONVICTED DEFENDANT SPENDS AWAITING SENTENCING AND TO DIVERT SELECTED OFFENDERS FROM FURTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESSING AT THE MUNICIPAL COURT LEVEL. COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECTS INCLUDED USING VISITING JUDGES, HIRING ADDITIONAL PROSECUTORS, AND INCREASING THE PROVISION OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENTS; HIRING ADDITIONAL PROBATION OFFICERS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC COUNSELORS TO PREPARE PRESENTENCE REPORTS; AND RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL OF CHARGES FOR ELIGIBLE FIRST OFFENDERS. DATA GATHERING EFFORTS FOR THE PRETRIAL AND POST-ADJUDICATION DELAY REDUCTION PROJECT INCLUDED EXTRACTING DEFENDANT-SPECIFIC, CASE-SPECIFIC, AND SUMMARY PROCESSING DATA FROM THE JUDICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM, A 16,000 RECORD DATA BASE ON CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS AND CASES WHICH DATE FROM APRIL 1971. DATA FROM CORP (CLEVELAND OFFENDER REHABILITATION PROJECT) WERE COLLECTED ON FIVE FORMS DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON SCREENING, INTAKE, CASE PROGRESS, TERMINATION, AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES. RESULTS INDICATE THAT BOTH CORP AND THE PRETRIAL AND POST-ADJUDICATION DELAY REDUCTION PROJECT WERE GENERALLY SUCCESSFUL.