NCJ Number
48807
Date Published
1977
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE CONCEPTS, OPERATIONS, EFFECTIVENESS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE SERIOUS CRIMES BY REMOVING HABITUAL OFFENDERS FROM SOCIETY.
Abstract
THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY A PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE DIRECTED TO THE LEAA IN 1974. IT FOCUSES ON THE HABITUAL CRIMINAL OFFENDER TO STOP THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF 'REVOLVING DOOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE.' THIS PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE THEORY THAT A RELATIVELY SMALL GROUP OF OFFENDERS COMMIT A LARGE NUMBER OF SERIOUS OFFENSES; IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF SERIOUS CRIMES WHILE MAKING MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE RESOURCES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, REPEAT OFFENDERS SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED QUICKLY, PROSECUTED WITHOUT DELAYS, AND INCAPACITATED FOR SUBSTANTIAL PERIODS BY INCARCERATION. LEAA HAS PROVIDED DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FOR NUMEROUS CAREER CRIMINAL PROJECTS IN MAJOR POPULATION AREAS. IT HAS ALSO SUPPORTED A NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SERVICES OF COORDINATION ASSISTANCE FOR 'SEED MONEY' PROJECTS AND THEIR LOCALLY FUNDED SUCCESSORS. WHILE THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS ON VIOLENT AND/OR SERIOUS OFFENSES, THE SELECTION CRITERIA ALSO CONSIDER THE OFFENDER'S PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORDS. SELECTION CRITERIA FALL WITHIN THE FOLLOWING CLASSIFICATION: (1) WEIGHTED POINT SYSTEMS; (2) SPECIFIC CRIME CLASSIFICATIONS; OR (3) NONCRIME SPECIFIC CRIMINAL RECORDS. THE PROGRAM IS CONSIDERED TO BE EFFECTIVE; E.G., 5,340 DEFENDANTS WHO WERE CONVICTED ON 8,250 CHARGES HAD A CONVICTION RATE OF 94.4%. IT IS INDICATED THAT CAREER CRIMINAL PROJECTS SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND INTENSIFIED. THESE PROGRAMS EFFICIENTLY USE THE LIMITED RESOURCES OF THE SYSTEM, WHILE EMPHASIZING PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION, AND MAXIMIZING EFFECTIVENESS IN CONTROLLING SERIOUS CRIMES. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. TABULAR DATA OR REFERENCES ARE NOT INCLUDED. (JCP)