NCJ Number
73077
Date Published
1980
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This report describes and evaluates the San Francisco Career Criminal Progam from its inception in July 1977 through April 1980.
Abstract
The program's goal is to identify, convict, and commit to the State prison both career robbers and burglars. The program was funded by LEAA during its first 2 years and by the State in the third year. The career criminal unit's staff includes five prosecutors, two district attorney investigators, and one criminal justice specialist, a clerk stenographer, and volunteer law interns. Offenders are selected for career criminal prosecution efforts on the basis of prior conviction records or of current offenses. The unit receives referrals from the San Francisco Police Department and the robbery and burglary prosecution teams of the district attorney's office. From July 1, 1977, through April 1980, the program convicted 242 career criminals and committed them to State prison; the average sentence was 5 years. Assuming that the career criminal commits an average of 20 robberies and burglaries each year, at a cost to each victim of $393, the program has saved San Francisco citizens $8.6 million. This represents a return of $24 for each dollar of the second year's grant. When career criminals' other offenses are considered, it is estimated that the program has prevented 55,626 serious crimes. Moreover, the career criminal program's current prison commitment rate is 39.4 percent higher than the prior rate for similar defendants. Tables, a summary of the status of each program objective, and a summary of monthly expenditures are included.