Assessing the Effectiveness of Criminal Justice Programs: Assessment and Evaluation Handbook Series No. 1

• NCJ Number: 148452
• Author(s): R A Kirchner; R K Przybylski; R A Cardella
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 54 pages
• Contract Number(s): 92-DD-CX-K026
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Corporate Author: Justice Research and Statistics Association
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; Justice Research and Statistics Association; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: State Reporting and Evaluation Program

Annotation

In an effort to help criminal justice policymakers and program managers assess the effectiveness of their programs, this handbook applies concepts, principles, and techniques from the evaluation literature to fit the uniqueness and characteristics of criminal justice programs.

Abstract

The handbook proposes general criteria to assess program effectiveness and poses several questions to guide program managers in determining the extent to which their program is effective. Methods for translating general criteria into specific program evaluation elements are described, and program examples show how these elements can be used to measure program goal and objective attainment. The handbook emphasizes the need to focus on innovative programs related to drug control, violent crime, and criminal justice system improvement. In addition, the handbook stresses both process and impact evaluation techniques, develops program effectiveness criteria, and describes the steps involved in developing and implementing a standard program effectiveness model. A glossary is included, and appendixes contain examples of drug law enforcement and community policing program evaluations. References and tables