Computerizing Criminal Justice

• NCJ Number: 127961
• Journal: Policing Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1990) Pages: 618-624
• Author(s): T Butler
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: (Presented at the United Nations Workshop on Computerization of Criminal Justice Administration, held at the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders, Havana, Cuba, 1990)

Annotation

The development of Leicestershire's police computer system is described with the idea of using it as a foundation for the continuing development of computer integration throughout the British criminal justice system.

Abstract

The steps by which Leicestershire developed their computer system are presented plus some contextual background information on Leicestershire itself. The seven guiding principles of the design of the system are listed. The type of computer hardware and software used are discussed along with the installation and implementation procedures used. The computer system is within the prosecutions department, and the achievements to date are discussed. One of the largest achievements is the predicted increase in operational time for police officers, achieved through major reductions in the amount of paperwork they now complete. The future expansion and developments of the system are presented. The next major step will provide the most cost benefits by introducing a computerized system registering alleged offenders at the point of arrest which will again cut the amount of paperwork flowing through the system. An appendix lists the responsibilities of the Prosecutions Department and Administrative Support Unit. 1 appendix