NCJ Number
129130
Date Published
1989
Length
60 pages
Annotation
A New York program designed to provide funds to local criminal justice systems to provide for the special handling of felony offenders who were serious offenders, repeat offenders, or both was evaluated starting in 1987 in terms of its implementation and potential need for changes.
Abstract
The Target Crime Initiative (TCI) Program was created in 1983 as a consolidation of three other programs. During the past 6 years, the State has spent nearly $300 million on the program. The analysis gathered information through surveys, site visits, reviews of agency documents, and interviews with agency and local personnel. Data came from 63 of the 79 TCI-funded agencies. Results showed that the funding was not targeted in terms of case type or case management and that the program, as implemented, was little more than a mechanism to provide non-targeted funding for local assistance. In addition, confusion existed at both the State and local levels regarding the legislative intent behind the program. Further problems included ineffective State agency oversight, the gathering of meaningless data, and resource gaps. Recommended changes include the codification of State-funded criminal justice programs, the establishment of meaningful and measurable goals and priorities, the creation of new reporting systems, the elimination of resource gaps, and the creation of an intergovernmental working group. Footnotes, appended tables, and background information