EVALUATION OF THE VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROJECT'S COURT-BASED SERVICES

• NCJ Number: 53774
• Author(s): A EVEN-ZOHAR; V RUSSELL; C REYES; R DAVIS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION, WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 1977

Annotation

THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROJECT (V/WAP) AND ITS RECEPTION CENTER, CHILDREN'S PLAY CENTER, TRANSPORTATION VAN, AND SERVICES COUNSELOR ARE EVALUATED.

Abstract

THE RECEPTION CENTER, CHILDREN'S PLAY CENTER, TRANSPORTATION VAN, AND SERVICES COUNSELOR WERE ALL DESIGNED TO ASSIST PERSONS COMING TO COURT FOR A HEARING OF THEIR CASE. THE RECEPTION CENTER, EQUIPPED WITH INFORMATION WINDOW, PROVIDES A SECURE WAITING AREA FOR VICTIMS, WITNESSES, AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CHILDREN'S PLAY CENTER IS A DAYCARE FACILITY. THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICE GIVES FREE TRANSPORTATION TO THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING TO COURT. THE SERVICES COUNSELOR PROVIDES COUNSELING AND MAKES REFERRALS WHERE APPROPRIATE. IN THE EVALUATION OF V/WAP, SIX CRITERIA WERE ESTABLISHED FOR ASSESSMENT: (1) THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE SERVICES REACH ALL ELIGIBLE PERSONS, (2) USER SATISFACTION WITH SERVICE DELIVERY, (3) THE EXTENT TO WHICH SERVICES MEET AN IMPORTANT NEED WHICH COULD NOT READILY BE FILLED THROUGH OTHER MEANS, (4) THE EXTENT TO WHICH SERVICE USE RESULTS IN A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD THE COURTS, (5) THE EXTENT TO WHICH SERVICE USE RESULTS IN A GREATER PROPENSITY OF THE VICTIMS OR WITNESSES TO APPEAR IN COURT WHEN NEEDED, AND (6) A REASONABLE COST PER CLIENT SERVED. SEVERAL SOURCES OF DATA WERE USED IN THE EVALUATION: (1) A TELEPHONE SURVEY OF A SAMPLE OF 80 VICTIMS AND/OR WITNESSES DRAWN FROM THE OVERALL POPULATION OF CLIENTS, (2) A SECOND TELEPHONE SURVEY OF A SAMPLE OF 60 VICTIMS AND WITNESSES WHO HAD USED AT LEAST ONE SERVICE, (3) COST TRENDS FOR EACH SERVICE, AND (4) UTILIZATION TRENDS FOR EACH SERVICE. IT WAS FOUND THAT SERVICE USERS TEND TO RATE THE SERVICE AND STAFF HIGHLY, BUT THAT A MINORITY OF ELIGIBLE VICTIMS AND WITNESSES ARE AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE SERVICES. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT MOST USERS WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF MEETING THE NEEDS ADDRESSED BY THESE SERVICES, BUT THE SERVICES DO NOT SEEM TO SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE USERS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE COURT OR THEIR LIKELIHOOD OF COMING TO COURT. FINALLY, BUDGET CUTS HAVE DECREASED UTILIZATION OF THESE SERVICES, BUT THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE WITH A SMALLER COST PER CLIENT. TABLES AND FIGURES ARE PROVIDED. (MLC)