NCJ Number
53685
Date Published
1978
Length
121 pages
Annotation
THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCLUDES PRETRIAL SERVICES, THE INSTITUTION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCE SENTENCING OPTIONS, IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, MAJOR CHANGES IN PRETRIAL PROCEDURE, AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Abstract
WHEN THIS PLAN WAS DRAWN UP, MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OREG., COURTS HAD ONLY TWO ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE FOR MISDEMEANOR AND CLASS C FELONS--PROBATION OR JAIL. SINCE CLASS C FELONS ARE MOSTLY MINOR PROPERTY OFFENDERS WITH ALCOHOL, DRUG, OR SEVERE SOCIAL PROBLEMS, NEITHER ALTERNATIVE MET THEIR NEEDS AND RECIDIVISM RATES WERE EXTREMELY HIGH. THIS PLAN GIVES ATTENTION TO PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC, REDUCTION OF CRIME, AND RESTITUTION FOR PROPERTY OFFENSES. IT RECOMMENDS GREATER USE OF RESTITUTION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES. PRETRIAL CHANGES RECOMMENDED INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: GREATER USE OF CITATIONS INSTEAD OF PHYSICAL ARREST, ELIMINATION OF THE WEEKEND IN JAIL BY MAKING RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE PROCEDURES AVAILABLE ON A 24-HOUR BASIS, EXPANDED HOURS OF COURT OPERATION, AND PROVISIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE MENTALLY ILL OR IN NEED OF ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION. A NUMBER OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR ALCOHOLICS, DRUG ADDICTS, AND THOSE IN NEED OF REMEDIAL EDUCATION OR VOCATIONAL AID. THE PROGRAMS WOULD BE PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY AGENCIES ON A CONTRACT BASIS. THE PLAN THEN SUGGESTS A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING WORK-RELEASE PROGRAMS, DAY TREATMENT CENTERS, AND GROUP HOMES FOR THOSE WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUG PROBLEMS. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE JAIL PROGRAM ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED INCLUDING IMPROVED MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE AND REMEDIAL PROGRAMS. MANPOWER ESTIMATES AND BUDGETS ARE INCLUDED FOR EACH SUGGESTION. A SERIES OF APPENDIXES DETAIL THE PLANNING PROCESS, PRESENT FURTHER BUDGET DATA, GIVE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND PRESENT LETTERS, COUNTY BOARD MEMORANDUM, AND SIMILAR STUDY MATERIALS. (GLR)