NCJ Number
54498
Date Published
1976
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THE PLAN FOR DEVELOPING CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS IN MAINE IS PRESENTED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROCESS.
Abstract
THE MAINE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE AGENCY (MCJPAA) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING THE STATE'S COMPREHENSIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLAN. THE COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MCJPAA ARE DESCRIBED. IN DECEMBER 1973, THE AGENCY SPONSORED A MAJOR STANDARDS AND GOALS CONFERENCE IN WHICH THE RECOMMENDED NATIONAL STANDARDS AND GOALS WERE REVIEWED AND 152 SELECTED AS APPLICABLE TO THE STATE. THE FINAL STATEMENT OF MAINE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS, HOWEVER, INVOLVES A DECISIONMAKING PROCESS THAT INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ACROSS THE STATE. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION INCLUDES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 10 TO 12 CITIZEN STUDY GROUPS OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE STATE, INVOLVING 600 TO 800 PERSONS. THESE GROUPS ARE TO BE FURTHER SUBDIVIDED INTO SUBCOMMITTEES THAT WILL CONSIDER RECOMMENDED STANDARDS AND GOALS FOR POLICE, COURTS, CORRECTIONS, AND JUVENILE SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN THE FORMULATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS IS CALLED 'COMMUNITY ALLIANCE.' THE STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR THE PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED. ONE SECTION OF THE MANUAL IS DEVOTED TO AN EXPLANATION OF THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE 500 CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION. THE GOALS OF THE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE PROJECT, THE METHODS AND TIMETABLE TO BE USED, THE EVALUATION PROCESS, AND THE RESOURCES TO BE USED IN THE PROJECT ARE DISCUSSED. AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND A TIMETABLE FOR EACH PROJECT ACTIVITY ARE DEPICTED. (RCB)