NCJ Number
115832
Date Published
1989
Length
15 pages
Annotation
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) research relevant to sheriffs has focused on drugs, jail crowding, and technology.
Abstract
NIJ's Drug Use Forecasting System (DUF) is now operational in 21 cities and plans to add four cities by the end of 1989. DUF conducts arrestee drug tests (urinalysis) to assist police in obtaining an objective, detailed, and local pattern of drug use and its change over time. NIJ is working on the use of hair analysis to detect longer term drug usage. NIJ recently completed a study on money laundering which yielded a resource manual for State and local law enforcement agencies. The manual explains the methods of 'cleaning' illegally earned funds and provides guidelines for detecting and investigating these offenses. NIJ is also in the first stages of a program called the Metropolitan Area Drug Market Analysis Network (MADMAN), designed to analyze the operations of drug markets. NIJ research relevant to jail overcrowding includes an investigation of the growing trend of shock incarceration (boot camp concept); the testing of intermediate sanctions; the dissemination of information about new, better, and less expensive jail financing methods; and better construction methods. NIJ has also researched the cost-effectiveness of jailing offenders compared to releasing them into the community without controls. Some technologies investigated by NIJ include bullet-proof vests for law enforcement officers, computer-assisted voice identification, and electronically monitored supervision.