NCJ Number
66672
Date Published
1979
Length
189 pages
Annotation
PROJECT EVALUATIONS OF EIGHT PROSECUTORIAL ADMINISTRATION PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE PROVIDED.
Abstract
THE PROJECTS WERE EVALUATED IN A STUDY OF THE 3A PROGRAM AREA, PROSECUTORIAL ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT. ALL THE PROJECTS INVESTIGATED WERE FUNDED TO ENHANCE LOCAL PROSECUTION EFFORTS IN RURAL AND SMALL URBANIZED AREAS. THEY COMPRISED VARIOUS APPROACHES TOWARD THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT TO LOCAL PROSECUTORS; ALL INCLUDED THE USE OF PARAPROFESSIONAL STAFF TO ADDRESS EITHER SPECIFIC LOCAL CRIME PROBLEMS OR SYSTEM DEFICIENCIES. THE PROBLEM APPROACHES REPRESENTED BY THE PROJECTS WERE DEFERRED PROSECUTION, SPECIAL INVESTIGATORS, VICTIM AND WITNESS SUPPORT, CONSUMER FRAUD, AND MANAGEMENT. PROCESS AND IMPACT EVALUATIONS WERE CONDUCTED FOR EACH OF THE PROJECTS. PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROSECUTORIAL ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT PROJECTS WERE CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THEIR CURRENT STATUS AND TO GATHER INFORMATION WHICH MIGHT BE USEFUL FOR FUTURE PROGRAM PLANNING. THE INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION REPORTS CONTAIN ASSESSMENTS OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION, OPERATION, EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPACT AS WELL AS EVALUATOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND APPENDED STUDY DATA. CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING THE 3A PROGRAM ARE THAT SUPPORT FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED EXTREMELY WELL AND HAVE STIMULATED RURAL AREAS THAT USUALLY CHANGE MORE SLOWLY. MOREOVER, A NUMBER OF SMALL PROJECTS COULD BE FUNDED WITH HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE OPERATING AFTER GRANT TERMINATION. FLEXIBILITY OF THE 3A PROGRAM CONCEPT HAS ENABLED EACH LOCALITY TO DEVELOP THE TYPE OF PROJECT MOST SUITED TO THE LOCAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. IT WAS FOUND THAT PROJECTS WITH A VERY SPECIFIC FOCUS, SUCH AS CONSUMER FRAUD OR DEFERRED PROSECUTION, ACHIEVED BETTER RESULTS THAN THOSE WITH GENERAL GOALS; E.G. PARAPROFESSIONAL AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR ACTIVITIES. PROBLEMS DISCERNED BY EVALUATORS INCLUDED EXCESSIVE DEPENDENCE ON INDIVIDUAL PROJECT LEADER PERSONALITIES, AND LIMITED RURAL RESOURCES TO MEET FUNDING AGENCY REQUIREMENTS. RECOMMENDATIONS OUTLINE MORE FLEXIBLE PROGRAM APPROACHES. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (MRK)