NCJ Number
59542
Date Published
1979
Length
41 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY, DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION'S 'RELEASE-ON-RECOGNIZANCE/LEGAL-AID-ELIGIBILITY' UNIT IS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT.
Abstract
TO PROVIDE COMPETENT AND TIMELY INFORMATION TO ASSIST THE COURT IN MAKING DECISIONS ON DEFENDANTS' ELIGIBILITY FOR PRETRIAL RELEASE. THE PROGRAM IS STRICTLY OF AN ADVISORY NATURE. THE UNIT FURNISHED ITS SERVICES FOR A TOTAL OF 15,960 CASES IN 1978 AT AN AVERAGE COST OF $13.39 PER CASE. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM ARE SUMMARIZED AND, IN ADDITION, THE ANNUAL ROR/LA WORKLOAD AND PATTERNS OF INCREASE OR DECREASE ARE DOCUMENTED. A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE COST SAVINGS REALIZED BY THE COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE PROGRAM IS ALSO INCLUDED. AS BACKGROUND, THE REPORT TRACES THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM, DEFINES THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES, DESCRIBES CURRENT PROCEDURES, AND GIVES A BRIEF PROFILE OF CASES THAT ARE EXCLUDED. IT DESCRIBES AREAS OF CURRENT AND FUTURE RESEARCH AND OFFERS AN ANALYSIS OF THE STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE SYSTEM AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS. ALTHOUGH SPECIFIC SYSTEMIC AND OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS ARE OFFERED FOR ANALYSIS, THE STUDY IS NOT A STATISTICAL VALIDATION STUDY OR RISK ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT BUT RATHER AN OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT SERVICES OFFERED. THE REPORT CONCLUDES BY STATING THAT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH IS IN PROCESS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY ON AN ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO FAILED TO RETURN TO COURT AND A STATISTICAL VALIDATION STUDY OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT. EXTENSIVE FIGURES AND TABLES ACCOMPANY THE REPORT. (MJW)