NCJ Number
142129
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 299-316
Date Published
1992
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This analysis of recent reforms in the Texas correctional system and their effects on State and local governmental relations concludes that a systems approach would be more useful than the current bureaucratic approach.
Abstract
The discussion notes that as technological advances cause governmental activities to become more complex, the traditional bureaucratic style of organization is becoming obsolete. The systems perspective that is widely used in the private sector may offer promising alternatives. The recent attempts in Texas to alleviate jail and prison crowding exemplify the problems facing corrections. The Texas Omnibus Criminal Justice Reform Bill of 1989 radically changed the infrastructure of State-level criminal justice and changed the traditional relationship between State and county systems. The State distributes funds to the counties that conform to its criteria of reducing institutional crowding, using information collected and submitted by each of the participating counties. These funds, called "performance rewards," have generated controversy among State and local correctional officials. The program has closed the relationship between State and county systems and created one large pyramid-shaped organization to replace several small organizations. By adding another layer, the bureaucracy has been reinforced. Systems theory suggests that flexibility and responsiveness may not be possible given the current organizational structure. Therefore, the systems approach should be explored as a way of making interagency operations more effective, resulting in fewer boundary conflicts and greater focus on accomplishing the organization's mission. Footnotes and 23 references