VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE IN CALIFORNIA - STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION

• NCJ Number: 59169
• Author(s): J VAUGHN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 298 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-NI-AX-0058
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

CALIFORNIA'S PROGRAM TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS OF CRIME AND COMPANION LOCAL VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FORM THE BACKGROUND FOR THIS CASE STUDY OF THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS.

Abstract

THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH IS TO EXAMINE THREE STAGES IN THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS (INITIATION, FORMULATION, AND ADOPTION) IN LIGHT OF TWO COMMONLY ACCEPTED CONCEPTS ABOUT HOW PUBLIC POLICY IS MADE (GROUP THEORY AND INCREMENTALISM). A COMPLETE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE ENACTMENT OF STATUTES CREATING CALIFORNIA'S STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM IS FOLLOWED BY AN ANALYSIS OF THE POLICY OUTPUT STAGE, MECHANISMS ADMINISTERED BY CALIFORNIA'S STATE BOARD OF CONTROL IN THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR STATE COMPENSATION. THE INCREMENTAL NATURE OF DECISIONS MADE BY BOARD MEMBERS AT PUBLIC HEARINGS WHERE CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION ARE APPROVED OR DENIED IS NOTED. THE FOCUS IS THEN ON UNANTICIPATED POLICY OUTCOMES RESULTING FROM PERCEIVED NEEDS OF CRIME VICTIMS AND THE CREATION OF LOCAL-LEVEL VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. FIVE CRITERIA GUIDE THE EVALUATION OF BOTH STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS; THEY INCLUDE VISIBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, DISCRETION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COORDINATION. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT GROUP THEORY PROVIDES AN INCOMPLETE EXPLANATION OF THE INITIATION AND FORMULATION OF POLICY SINCE NO GROUPS WERE INVOLVED IN THESE STAGES. INCREMENTALISM, HOWEVER, CHARACTERIZES THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS INVOLVED IN CALIFORNIA'S STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM. BECAUSE PROGRAM SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON LOW COST AND LOW VISIBILITY, AND EXPANDED MODEL OF GROUP THEORY AND BEHAVIOR IS SUGGESTED TO EXPLAIN WHY GROUPS HAVE NOT YET BECOME INVOLVED IN THE CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CALIFORNIA'S STATE VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. APPENDIXES INCLUDE APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE CALIFORNIA COMPENSATION PROGRAM AND INFORMATION ON CLAIMS ACTIVITY FROM 1976 TO 1978 AND COUNTY-LEVEL VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN THIS STATE. (AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DEP)