NCJ Number
56117
Date Published
1978
Length
23 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF A THIRD-PARTY CUSTODY PROGRAM IN WHICH A CITIZEN ADVOCATE WILL SPONSOR AN INMATE IN COURT AND UPON RELEASE, IS PRESENTED IN THIS HANDBOOK BY THE WASHINGTON DISMAS PROJECT, A SERVICE PROGRAM STARTED IN 1972.
Abstract
THE THIRD-PARTY CUSTODY PROGRAM ADDS TO THE DUTIES ALREADY PERFORMED BY CATHOLIC GROUPS UNDER THIS PROJECT (COUNSELING INMATES AND ASSISTING AT RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS). THE CORE OF THE THIRD-PARTY PROGRAM CONSISTS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO DO THE FOLLOWING: COVER ARRAIGNMENT COURT TO ASCERTAIN WHICH ARRESTEES ARE FROM THE AREA, SUPERVISE AND PROVIDE COUNSELING FOR RELEASEES, AND MAKE REFERRALS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES. IN ADDITION, VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS CUSTODIANS, ASSIGNED ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS TO A RELEASEE, WHO IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN REGULAR PHONE AND PERSONAL CONTACT WITH THE CUSTODIAN. GUIDELINES FOR THE VOLUNTEER INTERESTED IN THE THIRD-PARTY CUSTODY PROGRAM INCLUDE INFORMATION ON PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW AND MATERIAL TO BE CARRIED AT THE BAIL AGENCY AND AT THE LOCKUP; PROCEDURES DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO OFFER TO TAKE THIRD-PARTY CUSTODY; DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE COURT, IN COURT, AFTER COURT, AND AT THE PROJECT'S OFFICE; AND TRAINING OF THE VOLUNTEER TO MEET THE COURT PROCESS. ALSO, OFFICE PROCEDURES ARE NOTED, SPECIFICALLY HANDLING TELEPHONE MESSAGES FROM CLIENTS, HANDLING REQUESTS AND CALLS FROM STANDBYS, AND INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN CLIENTS' FILES. FINALLY, A DESCRIPTION OF VOLUNTEERS, OR STANDBYS, WHO WORK ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS WITH PERSONS THE COURT RELEASES TO THIRD-PARTY CUSTODY, IS INCLUDED. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, A FLOW CHART OF DIFFERENT COURT HEARINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SUPERIOR COURT, GUIDELINES FOR STARTING A RELEASE PROGRAM, AND A LIST OF THE PROJECT'S RESOURCES ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. (WJR)