NCJ Number
48221
Date Published
1976
Length
94 pages
Annotation
WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS OF THE PRESENT CORRECTIONS SYSTEM ARE IDENTIFIED, AND KEY OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES FOR MEETING THEM ARE PROPOSED.
Abstract
THE HIGH PRIORITY WEAKNESSES IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT CORRECTIONS SYSTEM WERE LACK OF PLANNING, ABSENCE OF AN ACCURATE SYSTEM FOR GATHERING AND REPORTING DATA, AND POOR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN VARIOUS AGENCIES IN THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM. THE KEY OBJECTIVES FOR LONG-RANGE PLANNING WERE DEVISED AS FOLLOWS: (1) IMPROVED COORDINATION WITHIN CORRECTIONS' COMPONENTS AND BETWEEN OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM; (2) UPGRADING OF THE INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE STATE; (3) MORE EFFECTIVE AND CONSISTENT USE OF STATEWIDE PRETRIAL AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS CONSISTENT WITH PUBLIC SAFETY; (4) IMPROVED STAFF EFFECTIVENESS; (5) EXPANSION, SUPPORT, AND MORE EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF NONINSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS; (6) OFFENDER JOB PLACEMENT/ RETENTION AND EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT; (7) ACCELERATION OF THE JUDICATIVE PROCESS; (8) INCREASED NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AND EXPAND THEIR SERVICE HOURS; (9) ASSURANCE THAT EACH OFFENDER IS TREATED FAIRLY AND EQUITABLY; (10) AND A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES REFERRED OR POTENTIALLY REFERRED FOR PROSECUTION. ALL OF THESE OBJECTIVES APPLY TO BOTH ADULT AND JUVENILE CORRECTIONS. A SMALL NUMBER OF KEY STRATEGIES WERE DEVISED FOR EACH OBJECTIVE. OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES, AND ACTION STEPS ARE DESCRIBED SEPARATELY FOR ADULT AND JUVENILE CORRECTIONS. AN EVALUATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING PROCESS IS INCLUDED, AND AN EVALUATION OF THE PLANNING ENTERPRISE BY ITS PARTICIPANTS. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS THE EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE. (RCB)