EVALUATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION PROJECT, PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE OF OMAHA

• NCJ Number: 34908
• Author(s): G GOLDBERGER; L E NELSON; W E ABSHER; Y AVICHAI
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 51 pages
• Grant Number(s): 72-ED-07-0014
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for Defense Management
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EVALUATION OF THE DOUGLAS COUNTY (NE) PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE PROJECT TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CRIMINAL OFFENDERS AS A MEANS OF MAKING THEM MORE FUNCTIONAL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

Abstract

THE PROGRAM DEPENDED UPON THE ABILITY OF ATTORNEYS WITHIN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE TO ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH AREA EMPLOYERS AND OBTAIN POSITIONS FOR OFFENDERS ASSIGNED TO THEM TO INCREASE THEIR PROBABILITY OF PROBATION BY APPEARING IN COURT WITH A JOB PLACEMENT IN HAND. THE PROGRAM PLANNERS ALSO STRESSED THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY DERIVED FROM NOT INCARCERATING OFFENDERS BUT MAKING THEM PRODUCTIVE WAGE EARNERS AND TAX PAYERS. THE EVALUATORS STUDIED GOALS, IMPLEMENTATION, AND ACTUAL RESULTS OF THE PROGRAM AND CONCLUDED THAT AS THE PROGRAM WAS CURRENTLY OPERATING, POSITIVE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF HAVING LEARNED SOMETHING NEW FROM OR DEMONSTRATING SOME NEW APPROACH WITH THE PROJECT COULD NOT BE SUPPLIED. THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE LEAVING THE PROJECT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE; APPOINTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD AND AN ATTORNEY-COORDINATOR; DEVELOPING CLIENT SELECTION CRITERIA; AND MODIFYING, REDESIGNING, AND SIMPLIFYING RESEARCH DESIGN.