NCJ Number
168868
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 36-42
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article explores four reinventing government themes for their meaning and application to community corrections.
Abstract
The article examines the relevance of: mission, an orientation toward results, the importance of customers and the role of prevention. A well-crafted mission statement that addresses both beliefs and values can inspire and motivate staff members and earn their commitment. Community corrections orientation toward results could be demonstrated by reporting on the percent of overall restitution orders collected. Presentence work could be measured in terms of instances where a recommendation for probation was accepted and then followed by successful completion of probation. In the community corrections world, efforts to become more sensitive and responsive to a variety of customers (e.g., legislators, clients and taxpayers) could revolve around the accessibility of the court, the speed of decision making, effectiveness in enforcing orders, and something as seemingly trivial as the degree of telephone courtesy. Prevention strategies could include providing services to young people awaiting trial; and ordering families in domestic violence cases to participate in counseling programs that assess the damage done to children, in an effort to prevent the legacy of domestic violence from passing to a new generation. Figures, references