NCJ Number
56228
Date Published
1978
Length
82 pages
Annotation
THE EFFORTS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO CAREER CRIMINAL PROGRAM IN CALIFORNIA TO DIRECT SPECIALIZED AND INTENSIVE PROSECUTORIAL EFFORTS TO HABITUAL OFFENDERS, ARE EVALUATED IN THIS FINAL REPORT.
Abstract
THE OPERATIONS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF CRIMES. THE PROGRAM DEALS WITH ALL ROBBERIES AND RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES COMMITTED BY CAREER CRIMINALS. DURING THE FIRST 17 MONTHS OF OPERATION, THE PROGRAM BROUGHT ABOUT THE CONVICTION AND SENTENCING OF 117 CAREER CRIMINALS TO STATE PRISON FOR AN AVERAGE OF 6 YEARS. THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ESTIMATED SAVINGS TO CITY AND COUNTY RESIDENTS OF $5,517,720, A RETURN OF 19 TO 1 ON THE $296,654 FUNDING LEVEL FOR THE FIRST YEAR. IT IS FURTHER ESTIMATED THAT THE PROGRAM RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OR PREVENTION OF 35,662 SERIOUS CRIMES IN THE CITY. DURING ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS, THE PROGRAM DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN WHICH RESULTED IN: (1) ORGANIZATION, (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF A LIAISON WITH OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AGENCIES, (3) COORDINATION OF ON-SITE VISITS AND TRAINING WORKSHOPS WITH THE NATIONAL LEGAL DATA CENTER, LEAA, AND THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING; AND (4) ACQUISTION OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. DURING THE PROGRAM'S SECOND YEAR OF OPERATIONS, THE PROJECT'S GOALS WERE ENHANCED TO REFLECT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACHIEVED DURING THE FIRST YEAR. IN ADDITION TO THE SUCCESS THE PROGRAM HAS HAD IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CRIMES AND INCREASING THE LENGTH OF SENTENCES FOR CAREER CRIMINALS, THE PROGRAM HAS SET THE ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES OF INCREASING COOPERATION BETWEEN APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. SYNOPSES AND REPRINTS OF NEWSPAPER ARTICLES DETAIL THE MEDIA COVERAGE GIVEN TO THE PROGRAM. A COMPLETE CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNT OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES IS PROVIDED. PHOTOGRAPHS, STATISTICAL TABLES, AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)