ALLEGHENY COUNTY (PA) - ARD (ACCELERATED REHABILITATIVE DISPOSITION) PROGRAM - EVALUATION REPORT

• NCJ Number: 26309
• Author(s): K E FOX; K E FOX; A B LEWIS
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 29 pages
• Grant Number(s): AG-124-72A
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Governor's Justice Cmssn
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM AND COURT BACKLOGS THROUGH AN EXPEDITED PROCESS IN WHICH NON-VIOLENT, FIRST OFFENDERS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID THE CRIMINAL PROCESS AND A RECORD OF CONVICTION.

Abstract

INDIVIDUALS PLACED IN THE ARD PROGRAM UNDERGO A PERIOD OF SUPERVISED PROBATION UNDER A COMMUNITY CITIZEN OR AGENCY SPONSOR. THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE PROGRAM - THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND INVESTIGATION, SUPERVISED PROBATION UNDER COMMUNITY SPONSORS AND AGENCIES, AND JUDICIAL, RELEASE AND STATISTICS ARE DISCUSSED AND EVALUATED SEPARATELY. EVALUATORS FOUND THAT THIS PROBATION WITHOUT VERDICT PROGRAM HAD REDUCED THE COURT BACKLOG TO ZERO AND THE AVERAGE TRIAL COURT DELAY TO ONE MONTH. THIRTY SEPARATE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE INCLUDING CONTINUED FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM, EXPANSION OF THE INVESTIGATIVE WING OF THE ARD DIVISION OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND INCREASED SUPERVISION OF COMMUNITY SPONSORS AND PROBATIONERS BY THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. ARD CLIENT OFFENSE AND CASE STATISTICS ARE ALSO INCLUDED.