NCJ Number
125376
Date Published
1989
Length
108 pages
Annotation
A commission established by the Georgia legislature in 1988 concluded that the current system of criminal sanctions has shortcomings in terms of both its operation and its perception by the public.
Abstract
However, unless a comprehensive model of sanctions is established, the current system will require many additional resources if it is to function as intended. The proposed model is called the Georgia Offender Accountability Model. It is designed to ensure appropriate punishment for all convicted offenders by increasing the uniformity of sanctions; reducing the discretion of the parole board for repeat, dangerous, and violent offenders; and increasing judicial discretion regarding the actual time to be served by an offender. It also emphasizes the need to provide treatment for inmates with drug and alcohol problems. The commission consisted of professionals from all branches of government. It received comments from the public, government officials, and staff of criminal justice agencies and organizations. Appended figures and tables.