NCJ Number
199495
Date Published
September 2002
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This report presents a statistical analysis of Hawaii’s Criminal Career Prosecution (CCP) program.
Abstract
The report notes that although substantial funds are invested in the program ($1.6 million for fiscal year 2001), little is known about the offenders and types of offenses prosecuted under the program. As such, this study drew on available data to provide descriptive information about the program and its functioning. Five central questions were explored: (1) what types of crimes are prosecuted under the CCP program; (2) are convictions won on the most serious charges; (3) what sentences are generally given to convicted CCP defendants; (4) to what extent are prosecutions being sought under mandatory and discretionary categories for career criminals; and (5) what are the criminal histories of the offenders being prosecuted under the CCP program? In order to answer these questions, researchers examined disposed CCP cases from each county in Hawaii for the fiscal year 2001, spanning from July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001. Findings revealed that the majority of crimes prosecuted under the CCP program were felony offenses, with some variation by county. Additionally, data indicate that convictions were being made on the most serious of charges in most cases and that sentences imposed for these CCP offenders were overwhelmingly incarceration in either a local jail or a prison. In most cases, CCP offenders had a history of frequent and formal contact with the criminal justice system. These findings indicate that the CCP program is meeting the stated objectives of the program. Recommendations include requiring each county to systematically collect and report uniformly defined data pertaining to elements of each case.