NCJ Number
49964
Date Published
1978
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF NONGOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS IN MEETING THE NEED FOR PRETRIAL SERVICES N NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, IS SURVEYED. RELEASE SERVICES AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
RELEASE SERVICES ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN RELEASE FROM CUSTODY FOR DEFENDANTS BY APPEARING WITH THEM AT THE POLICE STATION. THEY VERIFY INFORMATION ON DEFENDANTS' COMMUNITY TIES, WRITE RELEASE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT AND APPEAR IN COURT TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS, NOTIFY RELEASED DEFENDANTS OF COURT APPEARANCES, KEEP TRACK OF DEFENDANTS AND MONITOR THEIR BEHAVIOR, TRY TO FIND ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS FOR DEFENDANTS WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE ON THEIR OWN RECOGNIZANCE, AND HELP DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARGUE FOR BAIL REDUCTION OR FIND BAIL MONEY. DIVERSION PROGRAMS PROVIDE GENERAL SOCIAL SERVICES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON INCREASING THE EMPLOYABILITY OF THE SELECTED DEFENDANT, EFFECTING CHANGE WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND REMOVING THE STIGMA OF A CONVICTION RECORD FOR DEFENDANTS WHO CAN AVOID FUTURE CRIMINALITY. SOME PROGRAMS HELP THE CLIENT WITH DAILY PROBLEMS OR PUT HIM OR HER IN CONTACT WITH THE APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY AGENCIES. VARIOUS NONGOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED, BUT NO EVALUATION IS PROVIDED. COURTS AND PROBATION OFFICERS ARE URGED TO USE NONGOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES SINCE THESE PRIVATE GROUPS CAN OFFER SERVICES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF AN OVERWORKED PROBATION DEPARTMENT. SINCE PRIVATE GROUPS ARE FREE FROM POLITICAL PRESSURE, THEY CAN ALSO BETTER REPRESENT A CLIENT'S INTERESTS. THESE SERVICES FOCUS PRIMARILY ON POOR DEFENDANTS, THOSE MOST IN NEED OF AID. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MORE REPRESENTATIVES FROM PRIVATE PRERELEASE SERVICE AGENCIES BE INCLUDED ON THE PRETRIAL SERVICES TASK FORCE OF THE NASSAU COALITION FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE AND THAT COURT OFFICIALS MAKE GREATER USE OF THESE PRIVATE SERVICES. (GLR)