NCJ Number
48317
Date Published
1972
Length
67 pages
Annotation
THE BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHILADELPHIA JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT MODEL (PHILJIM), A GENERAL COMPUTER MODEL FOR THE SIMULATION OF TOTAL STATE AND METROPOLITAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS, ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
PHILJIM PROVIDES A MODEL FOR SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH WHICH ENCOMPASSES SYSTEM FUNCTIONS FROM INITIAL POLICE PROCESSING THROUGH COURT PROCEDURES, WITH VARIOUS RELEASE AND DETENTION OPTIONS FOR DEFENDANTS, TO CORRECTIONAL DISPOSITIONS AND REFERRAL ALTERNATIVES. A 56-PAGE PHILADELPHIA/ALASKA SAMPLE OUTPUT IS INCLUDED WHICH IS ANNOTATED TO EXPLAIN THE CHARACTERISTICS, DIMENSIONS, AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE PHILJIM MODEL. MODELING DECISIONS FROM BOTH ALASKA AND PHILADELPHIA PROJECT OUTPUTS ARE COMBINED IN THE SAMPLE. THE SAMPLE PROVIDES BOTH A BASE CASE OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND THE EFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN. A FLOW DIAGRAM INDICATES THE STRUCTURE OF THE SAMPLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THE EFFECTS OF PROJECT CHANGES ARE ANALYZED IN A COMPARISON OF SEVERAL KEY INDICATORS OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING DECISIONMAKERS FROM THE USE OF A MODEL SUCH AS PHILJIM: (1) A MODEL PERMITS A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF ANY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; (2) A SIMULATION EFFORT PERMITS A COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSIS OF SYSTEM NEEDS AND PROBLEMS; AND (3) THE OPERATIONAL MODEL ALLOWS KEY OFFICIALS TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES OR ALLOCATIONS ON SYSTEM STRUCTURE AND/OR PERFORMANCE. PHILJIM REPRESENTS AN ADAPTATION AND REFINEMENT OF A JUSTICE SIMULATION MODEL DEVELOPED BY BLUMSTEIN AND BELKIN. IT IS A STEADY STATE LINEAR MODEL WHICH TREATS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A SERIES OF PROCESSING STAGES, EACH INVOLVING A SET OF ALTERNATIVE PATHS, THROUGH WHICH CASES FLOW. MODIFICATIONS AND THEIR RATIONALES IN DEVELOPMENT OF PHILJIM ARE DESCRIBED, AND PHILJIM DATA INPUT APPROACHES ARE DISCUSSED. EFFECTIVE USE OF A SIMULATION MODEL REQUIRES THAT THE MODEL BE INTEGRATED INTO A TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING SYSTEM WHICH IS CAPABLE OF MANAGING THE MANNER IN WHICH DATA ARE COLLECTED, ASSEMBLED, AND USED. THE RELATIONSHIP OF COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION IS OUTLINED. FINALLY, THE UTILITY OF SIMULATION MODELS FOR CRIME-SPECIFIC IMPACT PLANNING WHICH ENSURES A FOCUS ON CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES IS EXAMINED. RUNNING CHARACTERISTICS, INCLUDING HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS AND COSTS, AND THE DATA TYPE STORAGE ALLOCATIONS FOR PHILJIM ARE APPENDED. (JAP)