OWENSBORO (KY) - ASSESSMENT OF OWENSBORO VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER REFERRAL OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 39843
• Author(s): B D BEAUDIN; J G ZALOOM
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 24 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-043-72
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

IN AN APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE THE VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION OR TRADITIONAL PROBATION AFTER CONVICTIONS FOR ADULT MISDEMEANANTS AND FELONS,

Abstract

A MAJOR COMPONENT OF PROGRAM IS THE PLACEMENT OF CLIENT IN VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE SITUATIONS. THIS PROPOSAL, HOWEVER, RAISED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM'S SCOPE, LEGAL ISSUES INHERENT IN THE PROGRAM, AND PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS (BOTH COST-BENEFIT AND REHABILITATIONAL). ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SITUATION IN OWENSBORO REVEALED A NEED NOT ONLY FOR ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR CONVICTED OFFENDERS, BUT ALSO FOR INDICTED DEFENDANTS DURING THE PRETRIAL PERIOD AND EVEN ARRESTED BUT UNINDICTED DEFENDANTS. ALTERNATIVES TO THE VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER'S PROGRAM DIRECTION WHICH COULD PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES ARE SUGGESTED. THEY INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF PRESENTENCE BACKGROUND REPORTS AND CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE SERVICES FOR CONVICTED MISDEMEANANTS AND PRETRIAL INTERVENTION (DEFERRED PROSECUTION) SERVICES. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS CALL FOR GIVING CONSIDERATION TO SCREENING ARRESTEES FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE, ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION DESIGN, AND SETTING UP SPECIFIC PROGRAM STANDARDS TO ADDRESS LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN POST-CONVICTION DISCHARGE AND PRETRIAL INTERVENTION....ELW