NCJ Number
91695
Date Published
1982
Length
64 pages
Annotation
Five States which have reorganized their corrections systems (or are actively considering a reorganization) responded to a survey conducted by the Wisconsin Legislative Council to determine what had been their experiences under alternative organizational structures.
Abstract
The States included in the survey were Florida, Missouri, Delaware, Oregon, and Iowa. Among the findings are that professional corrections administrators have more control over adult corrections policy and budget planning under a separate department of corrections than when corrections is under an umbrella department and that decisions are made faster on corrections issues when corrections is a separate department. Some respondents noted that the choice of organizational form had little or no effect on the awareness of, and time and attention paid to, corrections issues by the governor and legislature, while others said there was an effect. Findings are also noted concerning the relationship of corrections to the general public, the coordination of mental health and social services, the effect on juvenile services, and other suggestions and comments. Findings from each of the five States are discussed in separate chapters. Appendixes provide copies of the survey instruments.