NCJ Number
193655
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 71 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 1-10
Date Published
2002
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article examines the increasing problem of offender recidivism and innovative ways to combat the problem.
Abstract
The failure of probation, prison overcrowding, and high recidivism rates have presented challenges for police and corrections officials. Finding effective and efficient ways to combat this problem represents a challenge that requires innovative solutions. In Washington State, community policing has been combined with community corrections and technology to create a new state of the art crime fighting system. Through the use of police officers that provide patrol coverage 24 hours a day, the Washington State Department of Corrections enhances supervision of offenders without additional staff or expense. Community corrections officers know when offender conduct has come to the attention of the police and whether this conduct is a violation of supervisory conditions. Supervision Management And Recidivism Tracking (SMART) Partnerships are where police and corrections officers work together to deter recidivist offenders. The result represents a type of intense supervision, but without the need for additional personnel or financial resources. Police and corrections officers employ crime analysis technology, including Homicide Investigative Tracking System (HITS) and SMART, to direct and coordinate efforts and resources. HITS is a powerful new tool for criminal investigation and linkage analysis of serial crimes. Through these innovations, police, corrections, and HITS are all working together to support Washington State's new law, the Offender Accountability Act. This prevents recidivism by supervised offenders and improves the safety of the community. 20 endnotes