NCJ Number
154188
Date Published
1995
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report presents available data on the cost of criminal justice in Washington State and suggests ways for the system to be more efficient.
Abstract
A system overview reviews the components of the Washington State criminal justice system, roles and responsibilities, service demand, offender placement options, and aggregate costs. A section on growth factors focuses on population, crime, public awareness of crime, crime known to police, arrests, youth violence, random violence, clearance rates, superior court activity, courts of limited jurisdiction, Sentence Reform Act Sentences, time served, legislative effects, and the dynamics of demand. A section on cost components encompasses the costs of law enforcement, prosecution and defense, judicial services, local criminal sanctions, and State criminal sanctions. Potential economies described for local jurisdictions include law and justice planning, the use of correctional options, interagency efficiencies, risk-based interventions, integrated data management, automation and technology, and jail population management. Potential economies suggested for the State level include behavior-driven classification, economies of scale, the highest and best use and life-cycle cost analysis, the use of correctional options, and case management and risk-based interventions. Extensive graphic data