NCJ Number
48216
Date Published
1978
Length
64 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT WHICH USED LAW STUDENT INTERNS PLUS AN INHOUSE STAFF TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO INMATES OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY JAIL IS EVALUATED. DEMAND FOR SERVICES EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS, BUT FUNDING IS A PROBLEM.
Abstract
DURING ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION (JULY 1, 1976-JUNE 30, 1977), THE INMATE LEGAL SERVICES PROJECT (ILS) OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO 800 JAIL INMATES. ABOUT 15 PERCENT OF THESE CASES INVOLVED LONG TERM INCARCERATION-RELATED PROBLEMS. THE REST WERE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROBLEMS RELATING TO DOMESTIC MATTERS OR DISPUTES WITH JAIL STAFF. THE PROJECT WAS STAFFED WITH A FULL-TIME 'DIRECTING ATTORNEY,' A FULL-TIME PARALEGAL PERSON, A FULL-TIME LEGAL SECRETARY, AND TEN PART-TIME LAW STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FROM SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL. INITIALLY THE ILS PROJECT WAS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE GREATER ACCESS TO THE COURTS. IT WAS HOPED THAT ABOUT 400 INMATES WOULD BE SERVED. FIRST YEAR CASE SERVICE OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN EXCEEDED BY NEARLY 50 PERCENT, AND THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES ON THE PART OF INMATES HAS BEEN NEARLY CONTINUOUS. HOWEVER, THE MAJOR NEEDS HAVE BEEN SHORT-TERM PERSONAL OR JAIL ADMINISTRATION ISSUES, RATHER THAN THE LONG-TERM LITIGATION ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED. COURT AND CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN HIGHLY FAVORABLE TOWARD THE PROJECT. THE RESOLUTION OF IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS HAS ALSO BEEN BENEFICIAL FOR INMATES. HOWEVER, CONTINUED FUNDING IS NOW A CRISIS. THE INITIAL GRANT WAS FOR 1 YEAR AND NO PROVISION HAS BEEN FOUND TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT. TABLES SUMMARIZE TYPES OF CASES HANDLED DURING THE FIRST YEAR, SOURCES OF INITIAL CONTACT, TIME TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE CASES, AND THE PROJECT BUDGET. THE OUTLINE OF THE INTERM TRAINING PRESENTATION IS APPENDED, TOGETHER WITH AN EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE GIVEN TO INTERN PARTICIPANTS. (GLR)