NCJ Number
59647
Date Published
1979
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LEAA REGULATIONS GOVERNING PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION ARE DESCRIBED AS THEY RELATE TO 'AUDITS.'
Abstract
AUDITING RESPONSIBILITIES ARE CLARIFIED FOR THOSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES THAT MAINTAIN RECORDS OF CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION RETRIEVABLE BY NAME OR OTHER PERSONAL IDENTIFIER. THE PURPOSE OF THE STATEWIDE AUDIT PROCEDURES IS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION STANDARDS; THE AUDIT COVERS RECORD COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY, DISSEMINATION CONTROLS, PHYSICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SECURITY, AND RIGHTS OF INSPECTION. THE AUDITS SHOULD PROVIDE STATES AND INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES WITH DATA NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF CURRENT PRIVACY AND SECURITY PROCEDURES. THE REGULATIONS APPLY TO STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES WHICH HAVE HAD LEAA FUNDING FOR THE COLLECTION, STORAGE, OR DISSEMINATION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION SINCE JULY 1, 1973. AGENCIES WHICH ENTER INTO USER AGREEMENTS WITH COVERED AGENCIES OR ARE SUBJECT TO STATE LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS, OR OTHER RELEVANT CONTROLLING POLICIES MAY BE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT PRIVACY PROCEDURES ALSO OR TO BECOME SUBJECT TO A COMPLIANCE AUDIT. FOR EXAMPLE, A NONCRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY WHOSE 'SHARED COMPUTER' MAINTAINS CRIMINAL JUSTICE HISTORY DATA ON BEHALF OF A COVERED CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN AUDIT. BRIEF GUIDELINES DELINEATE THE RESPONSIBLE AUDIT AGENTS, AGENCY SELECTION CRITERIA, FREQUENCY FOR AUDITING, THE AUDIT SCOPE, AND THE METHODS FOR CONDUCTING ANNUAL AUDITS. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUDIT PROCEDURE.