NCJ Number
53745
Date Published
1977
Length
63 pages
Annotation
THE CONTINUOUS EVALUATION TECHNIQUES USED BY KENTUCKY'S STATEWIDE PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM TO MONITOR PERSONNEL PERFORMANCE, GOAL ACHIEVMENT, AND OPERATING PROCEDURES ARE EXPLAINED.
Abstract
THE KENTUCKY PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1976 TO PROVIDE A UNIFORM SYSTEM FOR GIVING PERSONS CHARGED WITH BAILABLE OFFENSES THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PRETRIAL RELEASE UNDER CONDITIONS THAT WILL INSURE THEIR COURT APPEARANCE BUT WITHOUT UNDUE HARDSHIP. THE AGENCY'S OPERATIONS ARE BRIEFLY REVIEWED. WHEN THE AGENCY WAS SET UP, A CONTINUOUS EVALUATION COMPONENT WAS BUILT INTO THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE. TWO PERSONS, EACH OF WHOM ALSO HAS OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES, CONDUCT MOST OF THIS EVALUATION. THEY MONITOR STATISTICS, CONDUCT ONSITE FIELD INVESTIGATION, ARRANGE FOR THIRD PARTY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTS, AND PLAN METHODOLOGICAL RESEARCH. THE STATISTICAL MONITORING AND FIELD VISITS HAVE IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS AT AN EARLY STAGE, RESULTING IN A NUMBER OF PROCEDURAL CHANGES. THE OUTSIDE WORK DONE BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS HAS FOUND THAT THE IN-HOUSE EVALUATIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL. THE PREPLANNED RESEARCH HAS BEEN USED TO FIND PEAK WORK PERIODS AND TO IDENTIFY PROCEDURAL ASPECTS NEEDING ADJUSTMENT. ANOTHER STUDY WILL ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE INDICATORS OF PREDICTABILITY. IT IS HOPED FUNDING WILL BE SECURED FOR A THIRD-PARTY EVALUATION OF THE TOTAL PROGRAM. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE TWO PRIMARY EVALUATORS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF TWO OTHER PERSONS, ARE CONDUCTING AN EXCELLENT IN-HOUSE EVALUATION PROGRAM. APPENDIXES GIVE SAMPLES OF FORMS USED FOR THE PROGRAM MONITORING PLUS DETAILED BUDGET AND EVALUATION DATA FOR THREE COUNTY PROGRAMS. (GLR)