NCJ Number
45949
Date Published
1978
Length
51 pages
Annotation
AN EXPERIMENTAL JUSTICE PROJECT IN KENNEBEC COUNTY, MAINE, FOUND THAT THE CONTRACTED COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS AND RELATED SERVICES TO OFFENDERS AND FAMILIES HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE.
Abstract
THE KENNEBEC COUNTY COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAM IS AN INTENSIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED EFFORT TO INCREASE CRIME PREVENTION AND OFFENDER REHABILITATION TO THE MAXIMUM. AS A FIRST PHASE, THE KENNEBEC VALLEY MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, THE COORDINATING AGENCY FOR THE PROJECT, DEVELOPED AND DISTRIBUTED A LISTING OF ALL COMMUNITY AGENCIES WHICH HELP WITH JUVENILE PROBLEMS, DRUG PROBLEMS, AND OTHER PRECRIME FACTORS. THIS BOOKLET, WHICH WAS GIVEN TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE POLICE FORCE, HAS PROVED EFFECTIVE IN DIVERTING FAMILY AND PERSONAL CRISES AWAY FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE PROJECT ALSO COORDINATED EXISTING PSYCHOSOCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND DEVELOPED RESOURCES FOR AREAS IN WHICH NONE EXISTED. THE MOST NOTABLE OF THESE WAS A MULTIFACETED COURT DIVERSION SERVICE WITH COORDINATION OF TESTING, LISTINGS OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES, AND AID IN OVERSEEING DIVERSIONARY CLIENTS. THESE EFFORTS ARE DIVERSION, AND SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES. ALL OFFER COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, AND SUPPORT SERVICES PURCHASED ACCORDING TO NEEDS OF EACH CLIENT FROM EXISTING COMMUNITY AGENCIES. PARTICIPATION IS DETERMINED BY NEEDS OF EACH CLIENT, OFFENSE COMMITTED, ATTITUDE OF DEFENDANT, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF JUDGE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICERS. ALL THREE PROGRAMS HAVE SAVED MONEY OVER THE PREVIOUS JAIL AND SENTENCING PROCEDURES. OF 639 CONTACTS MADE DURING THE FIRST YEAR, 373 BECAME CLIENTS WITH 174 OR 46.6 PERCENT STILL ACTIVE AT TIME OF EVALUATION. OF THE REMAINDER, 8.5 PERCENT WERE DEEMED 'INAPPROPRIATE CLIENTS,' 72 PERCENT WERE POSITIVE TERMINATIONS, AND 28 PERCENT (INCLUDING THOSE DEEMED 'INAPPROPRIATE') WERE NEGATIVE TERMINATIONS. SUPPORT SERVICES HAVE ALSO BEEN OFFERED TO FAMILIES OF OFFENDERS AND TO OFFENDERS ABOUT TO FINISH A SENTENCE AND REENTER THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH THE PROJECT, AS THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT AND CONTINUED DECREASED IN UNIFORM CRIME REPORT CRIME RATES IN THE DEMONSTRATION AREA, BELIEVED TO BE THE RESULT OF EARLY FAMILY INTERVENTION, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND THE PRERELEASE SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH HELP TO DECREASE RECIDIVISM. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE MODEL BE EXTENDED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES. (GLR)