NCJ Number
80348
Date Published
1981
Length
71 pages
Annotation
This report reviews the new client characteristics and services provided in 1980 by the Department of Community Corrections in Washington County, Oreg., along with analyses addressing the impact of a reorganization which created specialized caseloads.
Abstract
The Department of Community Corrections conducts presentence investigations and serves individuals assigned to community work service and probation. Sources of referral to community corrections are identified, followed by a review of new felony clients. Burglary was the most common conviction offense resulting in assignment to the department. Overall, the conviction offenses, criminal record background, and ethnic composition of new felons did not change materially from 1979. The numbers of males as compared to females increased as did felons with a high school diploma equivalent. Misdemeanor referrals jumped 35 percent over 1979, reflecting the increased use of community corrections by municipal courts. A summary of new misdemeanor referrals shows that theft and drug offenses rose substantially. Services provided by the following components are described and compared with 1979 caseloads: mental health, alcohol services, job development, community service, probation, and the restitution center. To evaluate the extent to which the objectives of the reorganization creating specialized caseloads have been accomplished, the report examines changes in the amounts of time allotted to cases before and after the reorganization. In general, it appears that the reorganization reduced the amount of direct time required by clients, with the exception of clients needing extensive supervision. Client profiles are presented for the specialized caseloads -- case bank, short-intensive, intensive, alcohol, and general. Finally, the 456 clients who received termination during 1980 are analyzed according to type of termination, personal characteristics, referring agency, prior record, and supportive services provided. Indicators of the probability of unsuccessful termination are described, such as lack of personal stability, ordering of jail to be served, and prior offense record. Statistical tables are included.