IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF CHARGING, SCREENING AND DIVERSION FUNCTIONS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH USE OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

• NCJ Number: 41194
• Author(s): D F BLUMBERG
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 116 pages
• Grant Number(s): 74-NI-99-0015
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Decision Sciences Corporation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN PHILADELPHIA AND INVOLVED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED CHARGING, SCREENING, AND DIVERSION FUNCTIONS SUPPORTED BY CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV) AND COMPUTER AIDS.

Abstract

THE SYSTEM WAS DEMONSTRATED AND COMPARED TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF LEGAL COUNSELING AT THE TIME OF ARREST THROUGH A CENTRALIZED TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND POST-ARREST SCREENING AND DIVERSION THAT WAS BASED ON INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS COMPILED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE DEMONSTRATION TEST SHOWED THAT THE USE OF CCTV AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE COUNSELING, SCREENING, DIVERSION, AND CHARGING DECISIONS BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AT THE TIME OF ARREST CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON IMPROVING THE OVERALL EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...EB