NCJ Number
117819
Date Published
1989
Length
124 pages
Annotation
This study provides a preliminary analysis of selected programs of the Nassau County Probation Department's Criminal Division for 1988, including a review of some of the major issues, trends, and problems in criminal justice.
Abstract
The latter review indicates that Nassau County is experiencing the same trends, issues, and problems encountered by the criminal justice system generally: a prison and jail space crisis, a runaway substance abuse problem, and high levels of recidivism. At the same time, probation is being shaped by factors beyond its control, including greater workloads, more difficult offenders, and inadequate staffing. Compared to the previous year, 1988 was marked by major increases in selected programs; for example, the sharp rise in presentence investigations placed this program on a higher plateau for the second time in this decade. In the supervision program, 1988 saw a continuation of the long-term trend toward rising workloads and caseloads. One-third of the offenders sentenced to probation were recommended for incarceration, indicating the trend toward placing more serious offenders on probation. This led to an increase in probation violations and recidivism. Drug offenders were 15 percent of the supervision caseload, up from 11 percent the previous year. Together, drug offenses, drunk driving, and larcenies accounted for 62.3 percent of the supervision caseload. 47 tables.