MASSACHUSETTS - COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLAN PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS AND FUNDING ALLOCATIONS, 1978

• NCJ Number: 54429
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 167 pages
• Corporate Author: Massachusetts Cmtte on Criminal Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

MASSACHUSETTS' COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE ANNUALLY RECEIVES CRIMINAL JUSTICE FUNDING FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION. THE COMMITTEE'S PLANNING PROCESS AND PROGRAMS ARE DETAILED.

Abstract

THE 1978 PLANNING PROCESS BEGAN WITH A POLLING OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS. A MEETING FOLLOWED IN WHICH PRIORITY AREAS WERE DETERMINED. THE AREAS AGREED UPON BY THE COMMITTEE INCLUDED COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION, COURT BACKLOG AND DELAY, DISPARITY IN SENTENCING, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AMONG OFFENDERS, MANPOWER SERVICES, AND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN. RESEARCH WAS THEN CONDUCTED TO HELP DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR THOSE RECEIVING FUNDS. THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS WAS PERFORMED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS. PROGRAMS FUNDED WERE BROKEN DOWN INTO SIX CATEGORIES: (1) POLICE SERVICES AND CRIME PREVENTION; (2) PROSECUTION, DEFENSE, AND COURT ADMINISTRATION; (3) PROBATION AND DIVERSION; (4) ADULT CORRECTIONS AND PAROLE; (5) JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS; AND (6) CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES. IN THE AREA OF POLICE SERVICES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS WERE RECOMMENDED FOR SUPPORT: (1) POLICE TRAINING; (2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; (3) CRIME ANALYSIS; (4) RESOURCE ALLOCATION; (5) INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS; (6) COMMUNITY PROGRAMS; AND (7) COMMUNICATIONS. THE COMMITTEE'S MAJOR CONCERN IN SUPPORTING PROGRAMS IN THE COURTS AREA WAS TO IMPROVE THE ABILITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO RESPOND MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE HIGH CASELOADS RESULTING FROM AN INCREASE IN CRIME. EFFORTS IN THE PROBATION AND DIVERSION AREA CONSISTED OF ATTEMPTS TO INCREASE THE ABILITY OF PROBATION TO PROVIDE LEGITIMATE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION. IN THE ADULT CORRECTIONS AND PAROLE AREA, A MAJOR CONCERN WAS DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION. JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS SOUGHT TO HUMANIZE THEIR EFFORTS BY DIVERTING APPROPRIATE YOUTH FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. FINALLY, IN THE AREA OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, A PRIMARY GOAL WAS THE IMPROVED COORDINATION AND COOPERATION OF THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. TABLES ARE INCLUDED.