NCJ Number
169694
Journal
Telemasp Bulletin Volume: 1 Issue: 12 Dated: (March 1995) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1995
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This bulletin examines the Houston Police Department's (Texas) role in the operation of a parole violator apprehension program.
Abstract
The program, which was implemented in 1991 in response to significant crime increases in almost every category, was designed to target a highly active segment of criminals, i.e., parole violators. Program objectives are to establish a network to identify, locate, and apprehend parole violators in Houston, as well as to develop a database to monitor and track parolees under supervision in the Harris County area. The program's initial task was to strengthen the relationship between the Houston Police Department and the Pardons and Paroles Division (PPD) Regional Office in Houston. According to the Houston Police Department, one of the key elements of the program is the commitment of the department's administration, including the allocation of financial resources. A second key element is a strong working relationship between local police and parole officials; and a third key element is the technical support of a qualified crime analysis unit that synthesizes information from various sources on each parole violator, so as to assist patrol officers in the development of leads. Other key program elements are the monitoring of warrants to avoid backlogs, the creative use of overtime funds, and patrol-district autonomy in developing enforcement strategies. Since the program's inception, the Houston Police Department has arrested 11,000 parole violators. The cost of clearing a targeted parole violation warrant is estimated at $530. The Houston Police Department is exploring the feasibility of extending its program to the targeting of probation violators. 2 figures