Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) brokers disseminated SAC executive summaries and research bulletins to local agencies, responded to information requests, made information referrals, and assisted local agencies with data-related problems. The program remained in operation approximately nine months. A process analysis of the program found that only 5 of 15 brokers were allocated time specifically for fulfilling their SAC responsibilites. Consequently, most brokers were expected to complete these duties after completing their regular job requirements. Of the brokers, 80 percent reported that their agencies had contributed funds to the program, and 40 percent had been given personnel to assist them. Chief administrators of the affiliate agencies saw participation in the network as valuable, and a majority had received mail from and had face-to-face contact with the SAC broker. A comparison of the 15 experimental districts with 15 control districts found that both groups rated SAC staff highly, considered SAC research to be of high quality, and felt the research to be of scientific merit. Of respondents with exposure to SAC research, 37 percent had used it to make some type of organizational change; and 49 percent had used it to make administrative decisions. To provide greater dissemination of SAC research a criminal justice information clearinghouse and data user association are planned.
Local Agency Personnel as Brokers of Criminal Justice Research: A SAC Experiment
NCJ Number
114352
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In April 1986, a pilot program was implemented in 15 selected judicial districts in Kentucky to disseminate criminal justice information and statistics to local affiliate network agencies.
Abstract