COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR A CORRECTIONAL AGENCY (FROM PROJECT SEARCH - INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS SYSTEMS PROCEEDINGS, 1972, BY GARY COOPER - SEE NCJ-09380)

• NCJ Number: 48302
• Author(s): A C HART
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 5 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Project Search (See Search Group Inc)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE CORRECTIONAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (DOC) ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

AS PART OF THE EVENTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A TOTAL SYSTEM, A SYSTEM STUDY PROJECT WAS INITIATED IN 1971. IN PHASE I, SYSTEM DEFINITION WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF ALL DOC REPORTS AND REPORT FORMS, AND AN ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION FLOW CHART WHICH ATTEMPTED TO DEPICT BOTH FORMAL/INFORMAL AND LIAISON INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS WAS DEVELOPED. DURING PHASE II, THE SYSTEM DESIGN PHASE, THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WERE COMPLETED: A SYSTEM WAS SYNTHESIZED TO MEET INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS; AN INFORMATION COLLECTION, PROCESSING, AND UTILIZATION FLOW SCHEDULE WAS DEVELOPED; MAJOR PROGRAMMING APPLICATIONS WERE DEFINED AND DESCRIBED; A PROGRAM OUTLINE WAS DEVELOPED; AND AN OPERATIONS MANUAL WAS OUTLINED. PHASE III, THE SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION PHASE, INVOLVED PREPARATION OF REPORTS USING DUMMY DATA; DESIGN OF AN IMPLEMENTATION MASTER SCHEDULE, AND SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION COST ESTIMATING. IMPLEMENTATION WAS BEGUN AND FULL IMPLEMENTATION WAS ANTICIPATED BY THE END OF 1973. THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM WERE A MANAGEMENT RECORDS SYSTEM AND AN INMATE RECORDS SYSTEM. TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE MANAGEMENT RECORDS SYSTEM INCLUDED RECORDKEEPING FUNCTIONS FOR COST ANALYSIS/BUDGET PREPARATION AND AUDITING PURPOSES, FUND ACCOUNTING, CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES PLANNING AND CONTROL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND FISCAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS PERSONNEL RECORDS AND PAYROLLS. THE OVERALL FUNCTION OF THE INMATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WAS TO PROVIDE A TRANSACTION-BASED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM FOR MONITORING INMATE STATUS, BEHAVIOR, AND REHABILITATIVE PROGRESS. THE INMATE RECORD SYSTEM INCLUDED FIVE MAJOR SECTIONS: BASIC INMATE IDENTIFICATION DATA; CRIMINAL HISTORY; FAMILY AND BACKGROUND DATA; REHABILITATION RECORDS; AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES INFORMATION INCLUDING INMATE MEDICAL/DENTAL RECORDS, PSYCHOLOGICAL/PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENTS, AND INMATE INTERESTS. DATA SECURITY AND INTEGRITY CONTROLS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SYSTEM WERE BEING CONSIDERED. SYSTEM EVALUATION WAS BEGUN. FACTORS SELECTED FOR EVALUATION INCLUDED REDUCTION IN PAPERWORK, AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT. LONG-RANGE PLANS INCLUDED THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF NEW AND INNOVATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS. (JAP)