IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (FROM READINGS IN CORRECTIONAL ECONOMICS - SEE NCJ-35710)

• NCJ Number: 35711
• Author(s): T ORSAGH
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: American Bar Assoc.
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AN EVALUATION METHOD IS PROPOSED FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BASED ON A THEORY THAT THE CRIME RATE IS A FUNCTION OF THE RESOURCES EXPENDED TO COMBAT CRIME.

Abstract

BECAUSE RESOURCES ARE FINITE, EVALUATION OF SUCCESS MAY BEST BE BASED UPON THE EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH RESOURCES ARE EMPLOYED. DUE TO ITS COMPETITIVE NATURE, THE PRIVATE SECTOR - SUPPLYING PREVENTIVE SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT - IS SAID TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN THIS RESPECT THAN THE GOVERNMENTAL SECTOR. AN ANALYSIS OF CORRECTIONAL COSTS INDICATES THAT MONEY IS NOT BEING EFFICIENTLY SPENT. A SYSTEM IS PROPOSED IN WHICH, UPON CONVICTION OR AFTER SERVING A PREDETERMINED PORTION OF THE SENTENCE, THE OFFENDER WOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF LIVING IN A HALFWAY HOUSE ENVIRONMENT IF HE INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO MEET SEVERAL CRITERIA. HE MUST MAINTAIN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AT A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE OCCUPATION. HE MUST CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TO HIS OWN UPKEEP, SINCE IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE 'HOUSE' WOULD BE LARGELY, IF NOT WHOLLY, SELF-SUPPORTING. FINALLY, HE SHALL BE ABSENT FROM THE 'HOUSE' ONLY DURING SUCH TIMES FOR WHICH HE HAS AUTHORIZATION. SUCH A SYSTEM, IT IS SAID, WOULD MINIMIZE CORRECTIONS COSTS AND MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY.