NCJ Number
62660
Date Published
1978
Length
143 pages
Annotation
LEAA'S STANDARDS AND GOALS PROGRAM RESULTED IN THIS CONCORDANCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS FROM 41 STATES.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM HELPED STATES DEVELOP OPERATING STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, PUBLIC DEFENSE SERVICES, COURTS, AND PRISONS. ALTHOUGH THE STANDARDS DO NOT HAVE LEGAL FORCE, THEY DO INDICATE THE STATES' DESIRED DIRECTION FOR THEIR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AS WELL AS MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PRACTICES. CONSISTING OF TABLES, THE CONCORDANCE FOCUSES ON 136 IMPORTANT POLICY ELEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES IN AREAS SUCH AS ORGANIZATION AND PLANNING, OPERATIONS, SPECIALIZATION, PERSONNEL POLICIES, PROSECUTION OR COURT PROCESSES, SENTENCING, CORRECTIONS FACILITIES OR PROGRAMS, TRAINING AND EDUCATION, AND OFFENDERS' RIGHTS. DATA WERE OBTAINED BY COMBING STANDARDS PUBLISHED BY PARTICIPATING STATES AS A RESULT OF THE PROGRAM TO DETERMINE HOW EACH STOOD IN EACH OF THE 136 POLICY ACTIONS. THESE POLICY ACTIONS APPEAR ON THE UPPER-LEFT HAND CORNER OF EACH TABLE. ALL STATES DID NOT DEVELOP SIMILAR STANDARDS; SOME WORKED ON ONLY A FEW TOPICS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, AND OTHERS DEVELOPED MORE THAN WHAT WAS SUGGESTED IN THE GUIDES WITH WHICH EACH STATE WAS PRESENTED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.