NCJ Number
27058
Date Published
1974
Length
77 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THIS CENTER WHICH IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF OPERATIONS OF PROSECUTORS' OFFICES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS FOR TRAINING, MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING.
Abstract
THE GUIDELINES DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR PROSECUTION MANAGEMENT (NCPM) WERE TO BE USED IN MONITORING AND EVALUATING PROSECUTORIAL PERFORMANCE. DURING THE TWO AND ONE-HALF YEARS OF NCPM OPERATION, THEY HAVE CONDUCTED ONE RESEARCH STUDY, PUBLISHED TWO MANUALS, ONE MODEL, AND THREE TOOLS FOR PROSECUTORS, SENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TEAMS TO MANY PROSECUTORS' OFFICES, AND HELD SEVERAL MANAGEMENT SEMINARS ATTENDED BY PROSECUTORS FROM SMALL OFFICES. EVALUATION ACTIVITIES CONSISTED OF: A REVIEW OF ALL OF THE CENTER'S PUBLISHED PRODUCTS; A REVIEW OF AN AVAILABLE REPORT EVALUATING PAST NCPM WORK; A REVIEW OF SEVERAL OF THE CENTER'S TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTS AND VISITS TO A SAMPLE OF FIVE PROSECUTORS' OFFICES WHICH RECEIVED THIS SERVICE; AND EXTENDED INTERVIEWS WITH THE CENTER MANAGEMENT AND MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS. WHILE THE COMMENTARY FROM NCPM CLIENTS WAS CONSISTENTLY FAVORABLE AND THE IDEA OF THE CENTER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE SOUND BY THE EVALUATORS, A FEW AREAS OF CONCERN WERE NOTED. THESE INCLUDE: THE CENTER'S FAILURE TO FOCUS ANY SUBSTANTIAL EFFORTS ON ATTEMPTING TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES AROUND WHICH SOME PROFESSIONAL CONSENSUS COULD BE FORMED; THE LACK OF RESEARCH SKILLS OF THE CENTER'S PERSONNEL; THE LIMITED VALUE OF THE RESEARCH UNDERTAKEN BY THE NCPM; AND THE GENERAL, RATHER THAN PRACTICAL NATURE OF THE REPORTS AND PRODUCTS OF THE NCPM. THE CLIENT FEEDBACK ON MOST ASPECTS OF THE CENTER AND ITS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WAS VERY FAVORABLE. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE NCPM HAD FOSTERED CONSIDERABLE COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS AMONG PROSECUTORS. SEVERAL RECOMMENDED FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE NCPM ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)