NCJ Number
69635
Date Published
1980
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The history, purpose, requirements, and use of funds of the California County Justice System Subvention Program are presented.
Abstract
Replacing the California Probation Subsidy Program in 1978, the Program makes available State funds to county boards to be used for (1) improving local justice system offender-centered services, (2) establishing and maintaining public and private adult correctional programs and facilities, (3) operating local crime and delinquency programs, (4) providing public education regarding crime prevention, (5) operating nonsecure facilities like counseling and educational centers, and (6) establishing appropriate juvenile facilities. To be eligible for funds, each county is required to maintain a specific commitment level based on the county's average commitment practice for the 4 years ending 1976-77. A second requirement is the establishment of a 16-person county advisory group to assess local needs, evaluate appropriate programs, and apply for funding to the Board of Supervisors. Despite these requirements, only one California county is not participating in the program as of 1980. In the allocation of funds, only small shifts occurred from Fiscal Year 1978-79 to Fiscal Year 1979-80; the most significant of these is the increase in funds received by private agencies. Despite the Program's positive impact on California's justice system, its future is uncertain due to shifts (Proposition 9) in statewide monies and politics.