NCJ Number
68381
Date Published
1979
Length
21 pages
Annotation
AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IS PROVIDED FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE STANDARDS AND GOALS PROGRAMS (S AND G), SPONSORED BY LEAA FROM 1974 TO 1977 TO AID STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING.
Abstract
THE S AND G WAS A $16 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE COMMISSIONS WHICH WOULD FORMULATE STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE AND LONG-TERM, STATEWIDE GOALS FOR ALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTORS. INTERVIEWS WITH STRATEGIC PERSONNEL IN THE STATES INVOLVED IN THE GRANTS AND OTHER ONSITE STUDIES REVEALED THAT THE S AND G PROGRAM FAILED TO INFLUENCE PLANNING OR FACILITATE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN THE INVOLVED STATES. NEITHER THE COMMITMENT OF THE STATES TO THE PROGRAM NOR THE MECHANICS OF IMPLEMENTATION WERE PRIMARY TO THE PROGRAM'S FAILURE. THE FAULT LAY IN ASKING FOR A PRODUCT THAT COULD NOT BE PRODUCED. IF STANDARDS ARE EVER TO BE USED IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, THEY MUST HAVE OPERATIONAL MEANING, HAVE BROAD ACCEPTANCE AMONG THE PEOPLE WITH THE POWER TO PUT THE STANDARD INTO POLICY OR LAW, AND HAVE OBJECTIVE VALIDITY. FAILING ANY ONE OF THESE THREE CRITERIA, A STANDARD IS UNLIKELY TO MOVE BEYOND THE PRINTED PAGE. MEETING THESE CRITERIA PROVED TO BE FEASIBLE FOR ONLY A LIMITED RANGE OF STANDARDS IN THE PROGRAM. CONDITIONS OVER WHICH S AND G HAD NO CONTROL UNDERMINED LEAA'S OBJECTIVES FOR THE PROGRAM. THE CONDITIONS WERE SCIENTIFIC UNCERTAINTY (ABSENCE OF PROVEN PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH TO BASE STANDARDS), COST TRADEOFFS (TRADEOFF ON THE BENEFITS A STANDARD MIGHT PROMISE IN RELATION TO THE COSTS OF PRODUCING THESE BENEFITS), AND SUBJECTIVE VALUES (VARIATIONS IN VALUES ACROSS VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS AND POPULATION SEGMENTS OF A STATE). POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR LEAA DERIVED FROM THE EVALUATION ARE DISCUSSED.