NCJ Number
10249
Date Published
1973
Length
187 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A PROJECT TO DERIVE A SET OF OPERATIONAL, MEASURABLE GOALS FOR THE MODEL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Abstract
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS USED A RAND CORP. METHODOLOGY FOR GROUP INTERACTION AND DECISION-MAKING KNOWN AS 'DELPHI'. 'DELPHI' IS LIKE A SERIES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN WHICH THE MEMBERS INTERACT ONLY IN WRITING, WITHOUT FACE-TOFACE CONTACT. THE IDENTITIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE UNKNOWN TO EACH OTHER. THE SUBJECT MATTER IS EXPLORED IN A SERIES OF QUESTIONNAIRES. A STAFF GROUP ANALYZES THE RESULTS OF ONE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR USE AS THE BASIS FOR THE NEXT QUESTIONNAIRE. THE PROCESS CONTINUES UNTIL CONCENSUS OR CLEAR-CUT DISAGREEMENT IS REACHED. FOUR GOALS DERIVED FROM THIS METHOD RECEIVED SPECIAL SUPPORTREHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL, DECRIMINALIZATION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES, AND CRIME PREVENTION. FOURTEEN OTHER GOALS CONCERN IMPROVEMENTS FOR ALL ELEMENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - SPEEDIER TRIALS, BETTER SYSTEM INTEGRATION, AND GREATER CONTACT WITH THE CITIZENRY. THE MAKE-UP OF THE PROJECT MEMBERS, THE DELPHI METHODOLOGY, AND THE GOALS SET ARE FULLY DETAILED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)