NCJ Number
54428
Date Published
1979
Length
127 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS' COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLAN ARE PRESENTED FOR THE YEAR 1979.
Abstract
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ANNUALLY DISTRIBUTES FUNDS OBTAINED FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION TO STATE AND LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS. THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE RECIPIENTS FOR FUNDING BEGINS WITH A POLLING OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS TO OBTAIN THEIR VIEWS ON SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD. AFTER THIS POLLING PROCESS IS COMPLETED, MEETINGS ARE HELD TO DETERMINE PRIORITY PROBLEM AREAS. RESEARCH IS THEN CONDUCTED TO DEVELOP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS. PROGRAMS TO RECEIVE FUNDING ARE ORGANIZED INTO FIVE CATEGORIES: (1) POLICE SERVICE AND CRIME PREVENTION; (2) PROSECUTION, DEFENSE, AND COURT ADMINISTRATION; (3) PROBATION AND DIVERSION; (4) CORRECTIONS AND PAROLE; AND (5) JUVENILE JUSTICE. PROGRAMS INVOLVING POLICE SERVICES INCLUDE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE POLICE TRAINING, PROVISION OF MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS, EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CRIME ANALYSIS, COMMUNITY PROJECTS, AND COMMUNICATIONS IMPROVEMENTS. COURT PROGRAMS AIM TO IMPROVE THE ABILITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO RESPOND MORE EFFECTIVELY TO HIGH CASELOADS. THE EMPHASIS OF 1979'S PROBATION PROGRAMS WILL BE TO PROMOTE SYSTEMWIDE IMPROVEMENTS IN PROBATION BY PROVIDING INCREASED SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PROBATION. IN CORRECTIONS AND PAROLE, THE MAIN EMPHASIS WILL BE TO PREPARE INMATES FOR PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS. THESE EFFORTS WILL INCLUDE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR PROTECTIVE CUSTODY INMATES. ONE EFFORT WILL BE AIMED AT HUMANIZING AND IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FORMAL TREATMENT RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES. THE OTHER EFFORT WILL BE AIMED AT DIVERTING YOUNGSTERS FROM THE SYSTEM. TABLES ARE PRESENTED THROUGHOUT THE TEXT. (MLC)