NCJ Number
36855
Date Published
1976
Length
151 pages
Annotation
THIS PROJECT, BEGUN IN FEBRUARY 1973, WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE FULLER USE OF THE PAROLE/FUNCTION AND PAROLE SERVICES FOR THE BENEFITS OF MISDEMEANANT OFFENDERS SERVING IN SAN FRANCISCO'S FOUR JAILS.
Abstract
THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED PRIMARILY THROUGH THE CREATION OF THE POSITION OF CHIEF PAROLE OFFICER AND TWO SUPPORTING STAFF, SUPPLEMENTED BY A CORPS OF TRAINED VOLUNTEERS. THE PROJECT VALIDATION WAS CONDUCTED ON-SITE AND INVOLVED PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH PROGRAM PERSONNEL, OBSERVATIONS OF PAROLE HEARINGS, A TOUR OF THE JAIL FACILITIES, AND A REVEIW OF SEVERAL CASE RECORDS. THIS REPORT DESCRIBES PROGRAM ORGANIZATION, PRE-RELEASE PROCEDURES, AND PAROLE SERVICE DELIVERY. A DISCUSSION OF THE PROJECT'S MEASURABILITY, GOAL ACHIEVEMENT, EFFICIENCY, REPLICABILITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY (THE EXEMPLARY PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA) FOLLOWS. EVALUATORS CONCLUDED THAT THE ICPP FILLS A MAJOR GAP IN THE SAN FRANCISCO CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, HAS HELPED REDUCE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INMATE DAYS OF DETENTION IN SAN FRANCISCO JAILS FOR ITS CLIENTS, AND PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN EXPANDING THE ELIGIBLE PAROLE POPULATION. HOWEVER, THE ROUTINE COMPILATION AND ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT DATA WERE FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE, VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT HAPHAZARD, AND PROGRAM FOLLOW-UP INCOMPLETE. PROBLEMS WERE ALSO NOTED WITH THE PROGRAM PRACTICE OF EXTENDING THE PAROLE PERIOD BEYOND THE END OF THE CLIENT'S JAIL SENTENCE AND THE LACK OF PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ARBITRARY SEX AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. THE PROJECT DID NOT RECEIVE AN EXEMPLARY DESIGNATION. THE APPENDIX INCLUDES THE EXEMPLARY PROJECT APPLICATION SUMMARY AND EXCERPTS FROM PROJECT EVALUATIONS.