National Assessment Program: 1994 Survey Results

• NCJ Number: 160297
• Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 64 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1995) Pages: 22-27
• Author(s): T J McEwen
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Excerpted from the National Institute of Justic, Research in Brief, "National Assessment Program: 1994 Survey Results" (NCJ 153517). For full report (NCJ 150856).

Annotation

More than 2,500 criminal justice officials participated in the 1994 National Assessment Program (NAP) survey to identify the most pressing needs and problems faced by various components of the criminal justice system at State and local levels.

Abstract

The survey sample included all 50 States and the District of Columbia. Within States, researchers chose a random sample of 411 counties, including 211 counties with populations greater than 250,000 and 200 counties with populations of 50,000 to 250,000. The survey focused on workload problems, staffing, and operations and procedures. Survey results illustrated the dominant themes of violence, drugs, and firearms. Respondents expressed concern about young people, both as offenders and as victims of violence. More than 65 percent of respondents indicated cases involving violence caused workload management problems. Police chiefs and sheriffs said domestic violence was the primary concern, while prosecutors ranked child abuse and domestic violence high. More than 80 percent of jail administrators said violent crime arrests contributed to crowding in their facilities. Drug-related crime caused workload difficulties to an even greater extent than violent crime; 93 percent of probation and parole agency directors had drug testing programs for offenders under community supervision. More than 80 percent of police chiefs and sheriffs indicated crimes committed with a firearm contributed to their workload problems, and they were especially concerned about juvenile firearm use. Respondents also said gangs and gang- related crime contributed to workload problems. Survey respondents identified how they attempted to prevent crime, and initiatives included community policing. Youth programs, and alternatives to incarceration. The survey revealed several other issues of interest to criminal justice professionals, such as cultural diversity, mentally ill offenders, crimes against the elderly, and information systems. 1 endnote and 3 tables