GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURING OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES ORGANIZING THE NON-SYSTEM - FINAL REPORT MANUSCRIPT

• NCJ Number: 43339
• Author(s): D L SKOLER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 656 pages
• Grant Number(s): 75-NI-99-0106
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE NEED FOR UNIFICATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ANALYZES VARIOUS PROPOSALS, AND CONCLUDES THAT UNIFICATION CAN BE BENEFICIAL IF LOCAL NEEDS ARE CONSIDERED IN THE SYSTEM DESIGN.

Abstract

THE MOVE TOWARD CONSOLIDATION OF POLICE, COURT, AND CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS, WHICH REACHED ITS PEAK IN THE 1950S'S, IS NOW BEING OFFSET BY AN INSISTENCE ON LOCAL CONTROL OVER THESE SYSTEMS. THE HISTORY OF THESE CONFLICTING MOVEMENTS ON VARIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IS EXAMINED. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS THE LOGICAL FOCAL POINT FOR ANY CONSOLIDATION EFFORT. IN THE AREA OF POLICE SERVICES, SUCH CONSOLIDATION IS ALREADY AT WORK. STATE SUPPORT FOR SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES AND RURAL AREAS, INTERJURISDICTIONAL COOPERATION, AND CONSOLIDATION OF SMALLER POLICE DEPARTMENTS ALL TESTIFY TO THE NEED FOR GREATER RESOURCES IN POLICE WORK TODAY. AT THE SAME TIME, CITIZEN BOARDS AND DECISIONMAKING AUTHORITY AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL IN MANY CITIES TESTIFY TO THE NEED FOR CITIZEN CONTROL. THIS SAME PULL BETWEEN UNIFICATION AND PLANNED DECENTRALIZATION IS SEEN IN THE COURT SYSTEM, ALSO. UNIFICATION OFFERS CONSISTENT ADMINISTRATION, MORE FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF TIME AND EXPERT PERSONNEL. HOWEVER, ALL OF THE REFORM PROPOSALS PUT FORTH TO DATA FAIL TO CONSIDER THE BALANCE BETWEEN AN ADMINISTRATIVELY EFFICIENT SUPERSTRUCTURE AND THE NEED FOR RESPONSIVE, LOCALLY-ORIENTED, DECISIONMAKING AUTHORITY. CORRECTIONS OFFERS THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR CENTRALIZATION: THE NEED FOR GREATER TRAINING, MORE INMATE PROGRAMS, AND THE PROVISION OF A GREATER VARIETY OF CORRECTIONS ALTERNATIVES SUPPORT THE CONSOLIDATION CONCEPT. SUCH CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS ARE NOW FAR BEYOND THE BUDGET OF MOST LOCAL JURISDICTIONS. THE TREND TOWARD UNIFICATION IS SEEN PROGRESSING RAPIDLY IN THIS AREA, WITH THE COUNTY JAIL THE LAST TO BE CONSOLIDATED. ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST STRUCTURAL UNIFICATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE FACILITIES ARE SUMMARIZED AND STANDARDS FOR PROPOSED UNIFICATION PLANS SET FORTH.