NCJ Number
62661
Date Published
1978
Length
313 pages
Annotation
AN EVALUATION OF LEAA'S STANDARDS AND GOALS PROGRAM RESULTED IN THIS ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAM'S OPERATIONS IN 27 STATES.
Abstract
IT HELPED STATES DEVELOP OPERATING STANDARDS AND GOALS AS PLANNING TOOLS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, PUBLIC DEFENSE SERVICES, COURTS, AND PRISONS. ALTHOUGH THE STANDARDS AND GOALS DO NOT HAVE LEGAL FORCE, THEY DO INDICATE DIRECTIONS FOR THE STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTORS AND MINIMUM PRACTICE STANDARDS. EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM ENTAILED A NUMBER OF ANALYTICAL TASKS AND WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH INTERVIEWS OF STATE PERSONNEL INVOLVED AND A REVIEW OF PERTINENT DOCUMENTS. A DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDES DEFINITIONS OF 'STANDARDS AND GOALS' AND REVEALS LEAA'S INTENTION TO CLARIFY A FRAGMENTED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH RATIONAL, COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND TO MAKE STATE OFFICIALS AWARE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE NEEDS. THE OUTCOME HOPED FOR IS CRIME REDUCTION AND MORE EQUITABLE JUSTICE. DISCUSSION OF THE MECHANICS OF THE PROGRAM REVEALS THAT EACH STATE HAS SET UP A LEAA-FINANCED COMMISSION TO EXAMINE AND EVOLVE STANDARDS AND GOALS TO BE EVENTUALLY INCORPORATED INTO STATE PLANNING. SIX BRIEF SUMMARIES ARE INCLUDED OF SPECIFIC STANDARDS AND GOALS PROJECTS IN ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, IDAHO, IOWA, LOUISIANA, AND MAINE. FINAL DISCUSSION COVERS GENERAL THEMES ELICITED FROM THE SUMMARIES, ACTUAL STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY THE STATES, AND THE EFFECT OF THE PROGRAM ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. EXTENSIVE TABULAR INFORMATION IS INCLUDED. (PAP)