NCJ Number
98253
Date Published
1985
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This program brief describes a Prosecution Management Support System (PMSS) which permits a prosecutor to automate and realign case loads on the basis of relative charge seriousness, establish work-force allocation to massive case loads based on relative importance, and secure staff adherence to established policies.
Abstract
A PMSS expands a prosecutor's ability to perform numerous functions: targeting activities to convict perpetrators, facilitate data sharing among criminal justice agencies, speedy information retrievel, and obtain data for review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the prosecution system. The goal of PMSS is to provide a management system which addresses workload distribution, case handling, management analysis, and staff responsiveness to established policies. The operational PMSS provides the prosecutor with many advantages, including increased productivity and effectiveness. To ensure a successful PMSS, a plan should be developed which includes needs assessment, requirements analysis, implementation schedule, and evaluation period. After the plan's development, several questions can guide the prosecutor's oversight -- for example, does the needs assessment identify data elements sufficient to support objectives and desired goals? To measure system impact, such areas as support of prosecution activities and research and statistical information for the prosecutor should be analyzed. Also, various data elements should be collected for each case, including the victim's and defendant's sex, age, and race. The PMSS is eligible for funding under the Block Grant Program; the Bureau of Justice Assistance offers support through seminars, automated indexes, peer assistance, sites, and Federal guides. Information sources and a 14-item bibliography are included.