NCJ Number
113482
Date Published
1988
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This report examines the nature and impact of statutes, rules, regulations, and administrative policies on the collection and dissemination of criminal justice system information and research in New York State.
Abstract
Agencies examined included the Council on Families and Children, the State Commission of Corrections, the Department of Correctional Services, the Crime Victims Board, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Division of Parole, the Division of State Police, the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, and the Division for Youth. Most criminal justice agency researchers report that they generally are not hindered by State laws and policies. Data needed to respond to information requests and answer key questions, particularly with respect to internal operations, generally are available. Some significant legal restrictions were noted with respect to cross-system or interagency research, such as very limited access to juvenile data, sealing and purging of records, limits on dissemination of medical data, and legal barriers between the juvenile and adult justice systems. Cooperation and interaction among agency researchers has contributed to good information exchange, but the establishment of formal data exchange policies was recommended. Major problems reported by research directors included data accessibility and quality, adequacy of automation, and dependence on databases designed to serve operational purposes. Agency profiles and recommendations for improvements are included. Appendixes.