NCJ Number
43216
Date Published
1977
Length
709 pages
Annotation
ONE-YEAR AND 3-YEAR GOALS FOR IMPROVING CALIBER AND PERFORMANCE OF POLICE AND CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL, FOR DECREASING JUVENILE AND ADULT CRIME, AND FOR IMPROVING COMMUNITY RELATIONS ARE DETAILED.
Abstract
PUERTO RICO, AN ISLAND OF 3435 SQUARE MILES WITH A POPULATION OF 3,107,000, HAS A CENTRALIZED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND RECORDS BUREAU. TO COMBAT THE RISING CRIME RATE, THIS STUDY OF THE ENTIRE ARREST, TRIAL, CORRECTIONS, AND PROBATION SYSTEM WAS MADE. A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS IS INCLUDED. USING LEAA AND COMMONWEALTH FUNDS, IMPROVED RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING PROCEDURES ARE TO BE SET UP FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND COURT PERSONNEL. CONTINUED INSERVICE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED. SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR SUPERVISORS, JUDGES, AND HEADS OF AGENCIES WILL BE PROVIDED AND SPECIAL ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN TO TECHNICAL DIVISIONS AND TREASURY PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE FOR ILLEGAL ENTRY OF NARCOTICS AND CONTRABAND GOODS. SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE PLANNED TO REDUCE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT WILL BE OFFERED TO DRUG ADDICTS OR YOUNG PERSONS WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS. ALL STATUS OFFENDERS ARE TO BE REMOVED FROM JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS BY 1977 AND ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS PROVIDED. HANDLING OF JUVENILES IN THE COURTS IS TO BE IMPROVED. DETAILS OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS OVER 1-YEAR AND 3-YEAR PERIODS ARE GIVEN. ADULT CRIMINAL PROCEDURES ARE TO BE AMENDED, INCLUDING IMPROVED COURT RECORDS, IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, AND INTEGRATION OF REHABILITATION PROGRAMS WITH THE PROBATION AND PAROLE SERVICES. PROBATION SERVICES ARE TO ESTABLISH EVENING HOURS AND BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO CLIENT NEEDS. IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROGRAMS IS DETAILED; EVALUATION WILL BE MADE. TO PREVENT CRIME, THE POLICE HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO WORK WITH CIVIC GROUPS ON CRIME PREVENTION EDUCATION. SPECIAL PROGRAMS ARE BEING SET UP