NCJ Number
126155
Date Published
1989
Length
62 pages
Annotation
This report on Pennsylvania's State-funded victim/witness technical assistance program for counties documents program deficiencies and recommends improvements.
Abstract
The victim/witness technical assistance program was established under State legislation in June 1984 to make grants and provide assistance to local criminal justice agencies for the purpose of implementing victim rights and services mandated under the legislation. This assessment of the technical assistance program as of June 1989 documents gaps in current services, estimates the costs of expansion, and offers recommendations for raising the required revenue. The report calls for the creation of 30 new programs (10 criminal justice and 20 community-based). Existing programs would be expanded by approximately 75 full-time equivalent positions over the current 85. The report further estimates the costs of clerical support, operational expenses, training, and equipment. The total costs of expansion, including a modest increase in staff support, is $3.8 million in the first year of full implementation. The cost excluding capital (one-time) expenditures is approximately $3.4 million. The report recommends that the entire expansion costs be borne by revenue from penalties on offenders. No General Fund appropriations are sought, and local matching contributions are retained only as an option if needed. Attached tables and study documents