NCJ Number
17333
Date Published
1974
Length
250 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY UNDERTAKEN TO DOCUMENT THE MANY FACETS OF THE CORRECTIONAL INTAKE PROCESS, TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED DIVERSION PROGRAMS, AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE INTAKE PROCESS.
Abstract
A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES, AN OVERVIEW OF THE CORRECTIONAL INTAKE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, AND A SUMMARY OF THE METHODOLOGY USED ARE PROVIDED IN THE INTRODUCTORY SECTION. THE STUDY TEAM'S APPROACH TO THE COLLECTION OF DATA AND FORMULATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS CONSISTED OF A REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE, EXTENSIVE USE OF QUESTIONNAIRES SENT TO PROBATION STAFF AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, REVIEW OF INFORMATION ON SUCCESSFUL DIVERSION PROGRAMS IN THE STATE, AND MEETINGS WITH A SELECT ADVISORY BOARD. THE JUVENILE AND ADULT INTAKE PROCESSES ARE DESCRIBED IN RELATION TO POLICE, PROBATION, PROSECUTION, AND THE COURTS. A HISTORY OF DIVERSION, A REVIEW OF CURRENT PRESSURES FOR DIVERSION, DESCRIPTIONS OF DIVERSION PROGRAMS, AND CRITICAL ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIVERSION ARE THEN PRESENTED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE POTENTIAL FOR GREATER DIVERSION OF OFFENDERS COMMITTING VICTIMLESS CRIMES AND JUVENILES APPREHENDED FOR STATUS OFFENSES IS ALSO INCLUDED. SEVERAL OTHER CRITICAL INTAKE ISSUES SUCH AS PLEA BARGAINING, THE ADVERSARY NATURE OF JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND THE IMPACT OF UNSENTENCED JAIL INMATES ON CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS ARE ADDRESSED IN THE FINAL SECTION. A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS RESULTING FROM THIS STUDY IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).