NCJ Number
163409
Date Published
1996
Length
111 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of day-fine demonstration programs in four U.S. jurisdictions: Maricopa County, Ariz.; Des Moines, Iowa; Bridgeport, Conn.; and Marion, Malheur, Coos, and Josephine Counties in Oregon.
Abstract
The demonstration project, begun in late 1991, was designed to enhance the application and enforcement of structured fines ("day fines") as sanctions for drug offenders and other misdemeanants and felons. Under the day fine approach, it is the only sanction, and the imposition and amount of a fine can be made commensurate with the offender's ability to pay and the seriousness of the offense. This evaluation examined program design, program implementation, and program impact. The data available to address the evaluation issues differed across the participating sites. The four jurisdictions experienced varying levels of success with their day fine programs. Maricopa and Des Moines were able to implement the front-end work that required scaling of offense severity and determination of the day fine valuation, as well as increase collections over previous practices. Implementation was more problematic in Oregon, particularly regarding the collection and enforcement activities, as well as the role that day fines should have combined with other sanctions. Although Bridgeport was able to establish penalty unit ranges for offenses, the broad penalty bands used were not consistent with the philosophy of scaling offenses by their severity. A discussion of some of the key issues focuses on offenses targeted for day fines, valuation of offender's income for unit value, packaging the total amount of financial obligations, statutory impediments to day fines, linking fines with probation, ongoing training and education required, effective collection and enforcement procedures, and computerized information systems. Overall, the findings show that day fines can be imposed as an alternative sanction and increase fine collection with no increase in officially recorded technical violations and arrests; however, this outcome is not guaranteed. Programs must be carefully crafted, implemented, and monitored if they are to produce the intended effects. 35 references and extensive tables and figures