NCJ Number
103189
Date Published
1986
Length
40 pages
Annotation
The decision about whether to transfer the Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP) Program from the FBI to the U.S. Marshals Service is a policy decision that the administration or Congress should make, because analyses of costs and other factors do not provide clear indications of the appropriate choice.
Abstract
Under this program, the FBI helps State and local governments apprehend State and local fugitives believed to have fled the State to avoid prosecution, custody, confinement, or giving testimony. Study data came from interviews with Federal, State, and local criminal justice officials in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, and on analysis of budget and program data and other records. A 1984 internal audit by the FBI showed both the FBI and the Marshals Service to be effectively performing fugitive investigations. It is not clear whether money would be saved by transferring the program, because the number of added staff the Marshals Service would need is not known. Transferring the program might free FBI agents to work on higher priority matters such as terrorism and organized crime. However, if the Marshals Service did not receive enough resources, its existing activities might suffer. FBI officials have presented 14 arguments against transferring the service. Reasons include the higher number of FBI locations, better after-hours coverage, and the access to the FBI's detailed case files. Tables and definitions.