NCJ Number
138695
Date Published
1992
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This audit reviews the progress made through 1990 by a project established in 1985-86 to improve State and local criminal justice information systems in New York through increased automation, improved data quality, and more data exchange among criminal justice agencies.
Abstract
The Systems Improvements for Enhanced Community Safety Program (SIFECS) operated under the oversight of the State Division of Criminal Justice Services. SIFECS received $54.6 million in funding and spent $38.9 million. The underspending resulted mainly from the failure of the State automated fingerprint identification system to progress as quickly as anticipated. The audit revealed that SIFECS's progress toward its three goals has had both successes and failures. The automation, the fingerprint identification system, and the added amount and accessibility of criminal history information have been benefits. However, delays in implementing the fingerprint identification system and in consolidating State telecommunications and insufficient interagency cooperation and coordination have been problems. Therefore, several improvements are recommended. Tables, figures, and appended agency comments and methodological information