NCJ Number
153074
Date Published
1990
Length
165 pages
Annotation
The criminal justice system of Palm Beach County (Fla.), as well as the impact of health and human services on crime and the justice system, were assessed with respect to costs, workloads, and specific issues faced by each element of the system.
Abstract
Based on 300 interviews, a sample of 2,000 case bookings, and 16,000 case files, the study focused on 33 police agencies, courts, prosecution, defense, probation, other correctional services, juvenile services, health services, human services, and education. Results revealed that the county has no comprehensive crime control strategy and that the justice system is hampered by a lack of priorities, poor coordination, and an inefficient information system. Drug law enforcement requires tremendous and increasing resources, skewing the justice system with no clear impact on the drug problem or crime. Little planning or coordination currently occurs between human services, corrections, law enforcement, the business sector, and government agencies. Overall, while highly dedicated public servants are doing a great amount of work, the county's justice system is limited in its impact on crime by a lack of an overall strategy and priorities, poor coordination and information, and a diluted criminal sanction. The lack of coordination with human services worsens the problem. The second volume of this report will present recommendations to address these issues. Figures, tables, and appended list of contact persons and 146 references. For the second volume, see NCJ-153075