NCJ Number
65845
Date Published
1977
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE 1975-77 BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE (WCCJ) CITES THE COMPLETION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TWO CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT PLANS.
Abstract
AN ADMINISTRATOR OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS, WCCJ'S MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE PLAN FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THE TWO PLANS COMPLETED DURING 1975-77 WERE THE 1976 AND 1977 CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT PLANS. IN ADDITION, A 2 YEAR STUDY OF THE WISCONSIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS COMPLETED, RESULTING IN THE 'JUVENILE JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS REPORT' AND THE 'ADULT STANDARDS AND GOALS REPORT.' RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THESE REPORTS INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN JUVENILE DETENTION, GUIDELINES FOR JUVENILE DETENTION, THE RESTRUCTURING OF WISCONSIN'S COURT SYSTEM TO INCLUDE A SINGLE LEVEL TRIAL COURT SYSTEM AND THE CREATION OF AN INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS, AND THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM. A MAJOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM IN 1977. IN ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT, A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED, DESIGNED TO IMPLEMENT REFORMS RECOMMENDED BY WCCJ, INCLUDING CREATION OF AN APPELLATE COURT SYSTEM. THE JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAM DEVELOPED OVER 25 SHELTERCARE FACILITIES TO REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE JAIL DETENTION AND ESTABLISHED A CHILDREN'S MONITORING UNIT. MAJOR FOCI OF WCCJ LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES WERE THE RENOVATION OF POLICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, THE INCREASE IN CRIME ANALYSIS SERVICES, AND SUPPORT OF SPECIALIZED POLICING AREAS TO MEET INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY NEEDS. PROGRESS HAS ALSO BEEN MADE IN THE AREAS OF CORRECTIONS; COURTS, PROSECUTION, AND DEFENSE; PROGRAM EVALUATION; AFFIRMATIVE ACTION; THE AUDIT PROGRAM; AND ADMINISTRATION. THE GOALS FOR EACH SEPARATE PROGRAM ARE INCLUDED. THE 1976 AND 1977 CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT PLANS, ACTUAL AND ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES TABLES, WCCJ STAFF LIST AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, AND A LIST OF REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING AGENCIES ARE APPENDED.