NCJ Number
55524
Date Published
1979
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AN LEAA-FUNDED VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN MILWAUKEE, WIS., ARE SUMMARIZED.
Abstract
THE SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS THE FINDINGS OF TWO CONSULTANTS WHO JOINTLY EVALUATED THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT OVER THREE FUNDING PERIODS, FROM JUNE 1975 THROUGH DECEMBER 1978. THE IMPACT AND VALUE OF EACH OF THE PROJECT'S SEVEN UNITS ARE ASSESSED. THESE UNITS PROVIDED A VARIETY OF SERVICES, INCLUDING INFORMATION AND OTHER ASSISTANCE FOR CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES, ASSISTANCE FOR CITIZENS FILING COMPLAINTS WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, SPECIAL PROSECUTORIAL ATTENTION TO VICTIMS OF RAPE AND OTHER SENSITIVE CRIMES, PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR THREATENED OR INTIMIDATED VICTIMS AND WITNESSES, AND VICTIM/WITNESS ADVOCACY. ONE PROJECT UNIT HANDLED ADMINISTRATIVE AND PLANNING MATTERS, AND ANOTHER DEVELOPED A COMPUTERIZED RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM (JUSTIS) THAT HAS BEEN REPLICATED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THE OPINIONS OF VICTIMS, POLICE, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, AND CRIMINAL COURT JUDGES REGARDING PROJECT TURNAROUND ARE SUMMARIZED. THE EXTENT AND CONSEQUENCES OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN AND SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT ARE ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF A CITIZEN SURVEY, AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND A REVIEW OF MEDIA REFERENCES TO THE PROJECT. THE COST OF REPLICATING THE PROJECT IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IS ESTIMATED ($306,000 TO INITIATE SERVICES, $775,000 TO $1,340,000 ANNUALLY TO CONTINUE THEM). FINDINGS OF A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PROJECT WAS FINANCIALLY JUSTIFIED, ARE NOTED BRIEFLY. THE EVALUATORS CONCLUDE THAT PROJECT TURNAROUND BENEFITED THE CITIZENS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY AND GENERATED IDEAS AND INFORMATION THAT SHOULD PROVE USEFUL IN OTHER COMMUNITIES. (LKM)