NCJ Number
58978
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE ON FLORIDA'S CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, EMPANELED FOR 90 DAYS BY THE GOVERNOR IN DECEMBER, 1975, ARE SUMMARIZED.
Abstract
FLORIDA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NEITHER UNIFIED, UNIFORM, NOR COORDINATED; THEREFORE ITS MANAGEMENT IS DIFFICULT. MOST DECISIONS ARE ADMINISTRATIVE RATHER THAN JUDICIAL, AND DECISIONMAKING GUIDELINES ARE INADEQUATE. OVERCROWDING OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS LIMITS EXISTING PROGRAMS' EFFECTIVENESS. THE TOTAL INMATE POPULATION WAS 15,714 ON JANUARY 1, 1976, COMPARED WITH 6,989 IN 1960. FLORIDA HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF INCARCERATION AMONG THE NINE MOST POPULOUS STATES. USE OF INCARCERATION AS A PUNISHMENT ALTERNATIVE FOR PROPERTY CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS HAS BEEN INCREASING, WHILE USE OF PROBATION HAS DECREASED. JUDICIAL DISPOSITIONS CORRESPONDED WITH PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATIONS' RECOMMENDATIONS 84 PERCENT OF THE TIME IN 1975. OVER 30 PERCENT OF INMATES RELEASED RECEIVE NO SUPERVISION. USE OF PAROLE HAS DECLINED. LEGISLATION TO CONSOLIDATE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES, TO PROVIDE PILOT PROGRAMS OF COMMUNITY BASED CORRECTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE VICTIM RESTITUTION, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ADDITION, USE OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE (1) SENTENCING SEMINARS FOR ALL JUVENILE AND CRIMINAL JUDGES, (2) REDUCTION OF PAROLE AND PROBATION CASELOADS, (3) WRITTEN GUIDELINES FOR STATES' ATTORNEYS OFFICES, (4) PILOT PROGRAMS FOR CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT, (5) A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL, (6) REPLACEMENT OF CURRENT INFORMATION GATHERING AGENCIES WITH A SINGLE BODY TO REGULATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, CRIMINAL HISTORY DATA, AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, AND (7) STUDY OF EFFECTS OF MOVING 16 TO 17 YEAR OLD OFFENDERS INTO THE ADULT SYSTEM. A LIST OF TASK FORCE MEMBERS IS PROVIDED. (CFW)