NCJ Number
113769
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This survey reports on the results of questionnaires completed by 2,500 victim assistance program administrators in 375 counties, as part of the National Assessment Program.
Abstract
Two types of victim assistance programs were surveyed: those administered by criminal justice agencies (police, sheriffs, and prosecutors) and those independently operated multi-service agencies administered by non-government entities providing services to victims of several different types of crimes. Individuals receiving surveys in each county included police chiefs of the largest cities, sheriffs, jail administrators, prosecutors, chief trial court judges, and heads of probation and parole agencies. State officials receiving the survey included wardens, commissioners of corrections, and states attorneys general. The questionnaire sought information in five general areas: staff size, budgets, and services provided; criminal justice system problems; factors contributing to workload increases; recruitment, retention and training needs; and management policies and procedures. Workloads are increasing in part because of increased police arrests in domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault cases. Program respondents cited lack of coordination among criminal justice agencies and staff shortages as their greatest problems. 2 footnotes and 11 charts.