NCJ Number
81244
Date Published
1981
Length
239 pages
Annotation
The National Presentence Investigation Report Program represents the second of a three-step effort by LEAA to encourage probation departments, in concert with others in the justice system, to make the presentence investigation process more efficient and more effective.
Abstract
The first step was the publication of the 'Presentence Report Handbook' in 1978. In 1979, LEAA announced a request for proposals to undertake a demonstration program to 'field-test' the 64 prescriptions contained in the handbook. The American Justice Institute was selected by LEAA to serve as National Program Coordinator (NPC) for the demonstration program. As subgrantees of the NPC, nine jurisdictions participated in the experimental effort to upgrade presentence practices: State agencies in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Texas; county agencies in Arizona, California (2), Oregon, and Pennsylvania; and an agency in the District of Columbia. Each project sought to modify its presentence process in its own way, but all were oriented toward the same overall goals: (1) to develop and implement a presentence investigation (PSI) strategy that complied with the prescriptions contained in the handbook, (2) to improve the quality of the information presented to the court, (3) to increase judicial use of the PSI in sentencing decisions, and (4) to increase the utility of the report to other decisionmakers in the criminal justice system. All sites completed their project periods with two or more report formats (a handbook prescription); the judiciary in each jurisdiction expressed satisfaction with the new reports; report preparation time was reduced at some sites, with associated reductions in costs; and in most sites, interagency cooperation was enhanced. The factors that seemed to promote the success of the change effort are discussed, as well as the use of an NPC as a management approach. Options for future action, including replication, technical assistance/training and further research, are outlined. Tables and footnotes are included. LEAA requests for proposals, prescriptions found in the 'Presentence Report Handbook,' survey instruments, and data tables are appended. (Author summary modified)