DEVELOPING SYSTEMS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE (FROM PROJECT SEARCH - INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS SYSTEMS, 2D - PROCEEDINGS, APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 1974, BY E CRESSWELL - SEE NCJ-25660)

• NCJ Number: 25678
• Author(s): R WILLSTADTER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 7 pages
• Grant Number(s): 73-SS-99-3312; 75-SS-99-6007
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: SEARCH Group Inc.
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE OUTLINES THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE USE AND SUMMARIZES STEPS FOR DEVELOPING A CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATIONS SYSTEM MASTER PLAN.

Abstract

THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO PLANNING, EVALUATION, AND OPERATIONAL DECISION-MAKING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DISCUSSED. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT INFORMATION SYSTEMS ARE EXPENSIVE, AND TIME CONSUMING TO DEVELOP. IN ADDITION, EVEN WHEN SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED, THEY MAY NOT MAKE TANGIBLE, COST-BENEFICIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CRIME REDUCTION. OBSTACLES THAT MUST BE OVERCOME IN INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ARE INADEQUATE REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION, INADEQUATE COMMUNICATIONS, AND TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES IN IMPLEMENTATION. AMONG THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN DEVELOPING THE MASTER PLAN ARE CRIMINAL JUSTICE GOALS, PLAN SCOPE, THE EXISTING SYSTEMS, A DETERMINATION OF SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND NEEDS, SYSTEM PRIORITIES, PROJECT PHASING, PROJECT UTILIZATION, SECURITY, EVALUATION, AND SYSTEM RESPONSIBILITIES.