NCJ Number
77414
Date Published
1981
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This report on the current cost of New York State probation services is presented to aid in discussing the future of probation practice in the State.
Abstract
A 1971 State law provides that 'in any case where the number of probation officers required for service to all courts within a county is not in excess of five officers as determined pursuant to standards for probation administration formulated by the director, the chief executive officer of the county, with the approval of the governing board of such county, may request the Division of Probation (New York) to perform all probation services in such county.' Since 1972, the State has provided direct probation services, at no local cost, to three counties. Effective January 1, 1981, legislative action approved the transfer of probation services from State to local operations, so that State financial assistance would be equitable for all localities. In order to deliver probation service in the State during 1981, $86.9 million of State, Federal, and local monies are budgeted to deliver probation service in New York during 1981. Sixty-seven percent of this amount is county and city monies. The State will provide 31 percent through the local assistance program and by special assistance through the intensive supervision program, the State felony drug program, the emergency felony case processing program, the warrant liaison program, and the specialized narcotics program. The remaining 2 percent of the total is provided through Federal grants. Entire State assumption of local probation services is currently under discussion in the probation community, in the executive branches of State and local governments, and among State, county, and city legislative leaders. The appendixes provide information on special State assistance programs, Federal grant programs, personnel costs of State assumption of local probation services, and the local assistance budget for 1981. Tabular data are provided for probation finances.