Status and Prospects of the Jails Accounting Microcomputer System (JAMS) (From Technical Assistance for Automated Criminal Justice Information Systems - Final Report, 1981, by F K Tomlin - See NCJ-77830)

• NCJ Number: 77832
• Author(s): G F Wallace; L J Chaitin; F K Tomlin
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 41 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-017-78
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
• Corporate Author: SRI International
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Final report. This document is available on microfiche under NCJ-77830.

Annotation

This report assesses the current status and prospects of the Jail Accounting Microcomputer Systems (JAMS) being developed under LEAA sponsorship for use in small- to medium-sized jails.

Abstract

Interviews with developers and potential users, examination of the system documentation, inspection and use of the demonstration systems, and expert technical opinion were used to determine the findings. The report assessed the status of central JAMS development and the installation work for the three development sites: the San Joaquin County installation (California), the Summit County installation (Akron, Ohio), and the Richmond installation (Virginia). Problems regarding system development, hardware, software, and user attitudes are detailed. Overall, the JAMS concept was found to be sound. However, if the three demonstration systems are carried to completion in their present form, they will exhibit serious reliability and user-interface problems in full-scale operation. If a follow-on JAMS program is to be pursued, a new JAMS development program is recommended. A table depicts the range of alternatives for the JAMS Program. System configurations for the demonstration sites are appended. (Author abstract modified)