NCJ Number
182557
Journal
American Jails Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: March/April 2000 Pages: 73-75
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Increased criminal sophistication and mobility require criminal justice components to implement improved information sharing systems capable of interagency and multijurisdictional communication; information technology applied to sheriffs' offices and the jails provides a number of benefits.
Abstract
Additionally, increased demands on existing criminal justice resources, from buildings to personnel, require technology that provides information to enhance efficiency. The positive identity of an inmate can be made almost instantaneously through automated fingerprint identification systems. In addition, interagency sharing of information assists in court scheduling, moving inmates from one place to another at the right time, tracking inmates within the process, making sure those inmates who are eligible for release are processed in a timely manner, and assisting the jail in processing paperwork by eliminating duplicative data entry and providing reports. Information technology capabilities allow management to identify trends, move and balance personnel and inmates, and reduce liabilities associated with tracking sensitive inmate data. Each of these events related to accessing timely and accurate data results in the increased efficiency and fairness of the justice systems and possible cost-savings to jails. The Office of Justice Programs of the U.S. Justice Department is working with State and local leaders from the sheriffs and jailer community to develop models, resources, and technical assistance to support integrating information sharing systems among jails and between jails and other justice agencies.