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Coordinating the Criminal Justice System

Overview

Leslie J. Smith

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STEP 1 VIEW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS ONE

ORGANIZATION

View the criminal justice system as a system

Each element of the criminal justice system must work collectively in order to impact the total system outcomes

Recidivism is identified as a systemwide outcome/performance measure.

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A System Is A Set Of Mutually Supporting Elements

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STEP 2 HAVE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORIGINS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

The original concept of criminal justice was introduced in 1967 by the Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice

The 1967 Commission introduced a more systematic approach to evaluating the criminal justice system to improve its’ effectiveness, hence, The Flow Chart.

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Criminal Justice System Flow Chart

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STEP 3 BECOME FAMILIAR WITH EACH COMPONENT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND USE

IT AS A FRAME OF REFERENCE

Understand how each component of the criminal justice system functions in order to develop a frame of reference.

In order to develop a planning model and to establish a frame of reference, utilize the Flow Chart as an “as is to be” model

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Develop A Frame of Reference and

“As Is to Be Model”

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STEP 4 A COORDINATED

APPROACH TO DEVELOP MISSION STATEMENTS

After you reach an agreement that the criminal justice system should be viewed as one organization and function as a system, there must be a strategy developed to

address mission, goals and objectives.

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Address Mission Goals & Objectives

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STEP 5 QUALITY DECISION MAKING AT EACH LEVEL

OF THE SYSTEM

Quality decision making establishes quality control at each level of the system.

Quality control requires a constructive program at every point of the system.

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A Constructive Program At Each Point In The System

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STEP 6

ESTABLISH ORGANIZED AND

COORDINATED PLANNING STRATEGIES

Criminal Justice Coordinating Committees provide the planning structure necessary to coordinate and merge the mission goals and objectives of each component of the criminal justice system.

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Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee

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STEP 7 DEVELOP AN ANALYSIS MODEL THAT

MEASURES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE

SYSTEM

The effectiveness of sentences, programs, and community, using reduced recidivism as a measure of success, is at the heart of virtually every examination of recidivism because everyone wants to know what works.

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An Analysis Model

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STEP 8

MONITOR THE ORGANIZATIONAL

ENVIRONMENT

As the organizational environment conditions (legal, political economic) change, demands for service, legal resources positions on policy and programs may change and place new demands, constraints, and pressures that may alter the mission or policy of the organization

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The Organizational Environment

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STEP 9 A PLANNING PROCESS AT THE

GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY LEVEL

Comprehensive system-wide planning groups helps to streamline the local system of justice through improved communication

These efforts will require coordination of city, county, regional, state, federal, and private justice agency activities

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Improved Communication

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STEP 10 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD

UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF CRIME

Many programs exist today that offer rehabilitative and reintegration value if the criminogenesis process is identified.

It is important to have an understanding of criminological theory, social justice issues and the risk factor approaches to identifying anti-social behavior.

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Identify Anti-Social Behavior

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STEPS 11&12 EVALUATE ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS AND

MOTIVATIONS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION

Justice administrators must utilize fundamental management practices that will assist their employees in meeting the overall goals of the criminal justice system.

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Management Fundamentals

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STEP 13 IMPROVE THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION

PROCESS THROUGH EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS

In order to improve the criminal justice system, you must select programs that will have a positive impact on the effective administration of justice

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Programs With Positive Impact

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STEP 13-H Planning And The Punishment Process

Creative punishment strategies should be developed in an attempt to design a mode of constructive punishment that considers the needs and characteristics of the offender and his/her motivation.

They should make use of professional knowledge, such as psychology, which is useful in the sentencing process.

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Creative Strategies

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STEP 14-15

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE THE PRIMARY MISSION FOR THE

ORGANIZATION

Establish a performance measurement process, in order for management, elected officials, and the public, to assess the degree of success the organization has in accomplishing its mission, goals, and

objectives.

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Assess The Degree of Success

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STEP 16 UTILIZE THE AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY

Utilize the available technology that will allow you to effectively analyze and share information.

Although improvements have been made, many aspects of the criminal justice information systems remain constrained by a lack of interoperability.

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Information Sharing Technology

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STEP 17

DESIGN A MORE INTEGRATED JUSTICE MODEL

The four traditional goals of sentencing remain (i.e., incapacitation, deterrence, punishment, and rehabilitation) but are considered in the context of reintegration.

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An Integrated Model

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Immediate Benefits of More Organized and Coordinated Planning Strategies

Creates a more systemwide, team based approach to managing the criminal justice system

Evaluates and improves decisions about the justice system and its cost and performance

Clarifies mission, goals and objectives

Controls and monitors jail population more effectively

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Contact Information

Les Smith

Tarrant County Criminal Justice Office

lsmith@tarrantcounty.com

817-884-1734

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Address Mission Goals & Objectives

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Improved Communication

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Creative Strategies

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A System Is A Set Of Mutually Supporting Elements

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Criminal Justice System Flow Chart

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Develop A Frame of Reference and

“As Is to Be Model”

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A Constructive Program At Each Point In The System

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Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee

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An Analysis Model

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The Organizational Environment

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Assess The Degree of Success

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Management Fundamentals

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Programs With Positive Impact

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Information Sharing Technology

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An Integrated Model