NCJ Number
46136
Date Published
1975
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BASED IN NEW YORK CITY WHICH DESIGNS AND ADMINISTERS PROGRAMS TO HELP CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, IS DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENTARY FILM.
Abstract
THE FILM COMBINES NARRATION, INTERVIEWS WITH PARTICIPANTS, AND SCENES FROM ACTUAL PROGRAM OPERATIONS. VERA-RUN PROGRAMS IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, ARE THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE FILM. A BAIL REFORM PROJECT, IN WHICH SUCH CRITERIA AS COMMUNITY TIES, EMPLOYMENT, AND PRIOR RECORD HELP JUDGES DECIDE WHO SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT BE RELEASED ON RECOGNIZANCE, INVOLVES STUDENTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE WHO INTERVIEW AND SCREEN ACCUSED INDIVIDUALS AND VERIFY ALL INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING A REPORT TO THE JUDGE AT ARRAIGNMENT. THE STATION HOUSE RELEASE PROGRAM CONCERNS A PROCEDURE ENACTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ARREST WHEN A QUESTIONNAIRE IS FILLED OUT BY THE ARRESTING OFFICER(S) IN ORDER TO SCREEN OUT THOSE WHO CAN BE RELEASED WITHOUT A BAIL HEARING. THE WARRANT PROJECT IS AIMED AT CLEARING OUT OLD WARRANTS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN ACTED UPON AND AT ASSURING THAT NEW WARRANTS WILL BE PROPERLY SERVED; INFORMING THE INTERESTED INDIVIDUAL THAT A WARRANT WILL BE SERVED IF THE PERSON DOES NOT APPEAR OF HIS OWN VOLITION, AND OFFICERS ONLY SERVE WARRANTS WHEN THE LETTERS AND FOLLOWUP PHONE CALLS FAIL TO BRING THE PERSON IN. A DETOXIFICATION CENTER IS OPERATED TO HANDLE THOSE ARRESTED WITH ALCOHOL PROBLEMS. THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND POLICE COOPERATE TO RUN THE CENTER; THE POLICE EXERCISE DISCRETION TO DETERMINE WHO GOES INTO THE DETOXIFICATION CENTER AND WHO GOES INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHILE SOCIAL WORKERS ASSIST CLIENTS AFTER AN INITIAL 7-DAYS DRYOUT PERIOD. PROGRAMS RUN BY VERA IN NEW YORK CITY INCLUDE A COURT EMPLOYMENT PROJECT, WHICH DIVERTS ACCUSED PERSONS OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSICE SYSTEM BEFORE TRIAL AND PROVIDES COUNSELING ABOUT ASSISTANCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT. THOSE CONVICTED OF SERIOUS CRIMES AND DRUG ADDICTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COURT EMPLOYMENT PROJECT, ALTHOUGH A PROGRAM DOES EXIST ESPECIALLY FOR DRUG ADDICTS: THE WILDCAT CORPORATION TRAINS AND EMPLOYS EX-ADDICTS TO PERFORM PUBLIC SERVICE WORK IN NEW YORK CITY AND TO TAKE ON POSITIONS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY VERA TO OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES USUALLY REQUIRE THAT VERA STAFF MEMBERS STAY ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS, AFTER WHICH TIME THE PROGRAMS CAN 'RUN THEMSELVES.' (DAS)