NCJ Number
134290
Date Published
1969
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This report examines the processes by which States are developing plans for criminal justice system reform as the basis for receiving Federal grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.
Abstract
Data came from a survey of the following 12 States: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The survey was conducted over a 6-week period from March to May 1969 and included interviews with government officials and community leaders, reviews of documents, and research in each State by resident correspondents. Results revealed that planning has been conducted mainly by a small number of professionals and that residents of poor and minority neighborhoods and agencies dealing with health and other problems related to crime have had only minor participation. In addition, many State planning agencies are planning separately for each part of the criminal justice system. Therefore, the States should revise their planning processes to include greater community participation, to focus on the entire system rather than its parts, and to make sure that regional units are logically drawn. Finally, planning groups need more technical assistance and should develop detailed action plans. Additional recommendations