NCJ Number
114265
Date Published
1988
Length
56 pages
Annotation
An evaluation of the New River Community Sentencing, Inc. (NRCS) program in Virginia focused on the management and operation of the program, the nature and distribution of the workload, the program's impact on the local criminal justice system, and community relations.
Abstract
Data came from site visits, interviews with program staff and criminal justice personnel, and document reviews. Results showed that NRCS provides a sentencing alternative of proven benefit to the courts and law enforcement communities in its service areas. The program enjoys widespread acceptance and approval by the area citizenry. It is clearly offering services of benefit to offenders and their families, as shown by the development of an employment services component. In fiscal year 1987, NRCS successfully diverted 544 people from post-trial contact with criminal justice professionals. As many as 131 of this group were diverted a second time during this period. The program's rapid growth has brought the need to address several areas. For example, the large caseloads of the community service counselors have limited the direct contact between counselors and clients and the worksite monitoring activity to a level that is suboptimal. Funding for additional counselors should be considered if this situation continues. Tables, footnotes, and a list of the NRCS board of directors.