NCJ Number
117842
Date Published
1987
Length
256 pages
Annotation
This hearing examines the administrative effectiveness of California's Victim Compensation Program, with a focus on its current case backlog and its administrative practices.
Abstract
The hearing was occasioned by a 1987 program review by the State Department of General Services, which determined that nearly $750,000 was misspent as a result of lax procedures, a failure to follow laws and administrative rules, and the overriding of internal controls by fund management. The review estimated a 10-month backlog of 10,000 claims yet to be assigned to a claims specialist. The review attributes the backlog to inadequate procedures for handling regular and supplemental claims. These administrative lapses have followed the 1986 installation of a state-of-the-art computer system. The review found that the Board of Control of the Victim Crime Program has failed to use properly trained staff to maintain the system, and current staff have not been trained to use the system. The purpose of the hearing is to determine why funds are not being paid to eligible crime victims within the statutory range of 90 days. Testimony is provided by crime victims, victim service providers, victim representatives, personnel involved in the General Services internal audit, and employees and supervisors of the Board of Control of the Victim Crime Program. The appendix contains the General Services' audit of the program.