NCJ Number
51748
Date Published
1978
Length
20 pages
Annotation
A SAMPLING OF THE OBSCIS REPORTS AND CHARTS USED BY ADMINISTRATORS IN THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS PRESENTED, TOGETHER WITH A DISCUSSION OF HOW ADMINISTRATORS USE THE INFORMATION.
Abstract
MOST OF THE CHARTS AND TABLES SHOWN ARE ROUTINELY PRESENTED TO ADMINISTRATORS EITHER MONTHLY, QUARTERLY, ANNUALLY, OR ON AN AD HOC BASIS. THE CHARTS AND TABLES, PRESENTED WITH ORAL EXPLANATIONS AND ARRANGED TO REFLECT THE ORDER IN WHICH OFFENDERS ACTUALLY MOVE THROUGH THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, ALLOW ADMINISTRATORS TO FOLLOW THE WORKLOAD FLOW, TO LOCATE POINTS WHERE DECISIONS ARE NEEDED, AND TO ADJUST BUDGETS AS NECESSARY. OFTEN THE CHARTS AND TABLES CLEARLY REFLECT THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY JUDICIAL DECISIONS, LEGISLATIVE MANDATES (E.G., CALIFORNIA'S TRANSITION FROM AN INDETERMINATE TO A DETERMINATE SENTENCING LAW), AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES. THE DESIGN OR FORMAT OF THE PRESENTATION IS VARIED ACCORDING TO THE AUDIENCE'S LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING AND NEED. CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES FOR TABLES, CHARTS, OR NARRATIVE SUMMARIES. THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM UNDER DISCUSSION AND THE LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT INVOLVED DETERMINE WHETHER THE DATA SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF AN OVERVIEW, A SUMMARY, OR AN INDEPTH STUDY. TWENTY-EIGHT DIFFERENT CHARTS, GRAPHS, AND TABLES ILLUSTRATE THE PRESENTATIONS PREPARED BY THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SECTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PRESENTATION, TOGETHER WITH COMMENTS ON THE USES TO WHICH THE INFORMATION IS PUT, ARE INCLUDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING NARRATIVE. A LIST OF DATA USERS (DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS) IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SECTION IS PROVIDED.