NCJ Number
70087
Date Published
1975
Length
119 pages
Annotation
The planning, implementation, and development of a court-based diagnostic center for offenders referred by the district court of Denver, Colorado, and the parole and probation departments are discussed in this report.
Abstract
The Denver Court Diagnostic Center provides psychological and psychiatric evaluations for felony offenders who are under consideration for probation by the courts or who are being supervised by probation or parole officers. The center program was implemented in 1972 under the LEAA Impact Cities Program Grant. The project took advantage of an existing diagnostic clinic, and with the addition of six professional, paraprofessional, and clerical staff was able to expand the program to enable an in depth evaluation program for impact offenders. Each felony client spends approximately 8 hours at the center. Completed psychological and psychiatric evaluations are usually returned to the referring individual or agency within 7 days. Since the center became operational over 400 evaluations have been completed. The courts, probation, and parole are evenly represented as referral sources. Evaluation of offenders incarcerated at the county jail represented the largest increase by referral category. A recent survey conducted by the program's research consultant indicated the need for more formal communication between users of the center's services and staff regarding user expectations. In general the survey indicated nearly total acceptance of the center. Preliminary research indicates that based upon the center's experiences, rape offenders were 'by far' the 'most different' from the other impact offenders. They tended to have a very positive self-concept, but there was also a tendency toward pathology and defensiveness. Offenders in the burglary category presented the 'greatest overall use of drugs,' but 'soft' drug usage was more apparent than opiate use. Burglary offenders were the least likely to be members of an ethnic minority. Robbery offenders presented the most deviate responses, and those convicted of assault presented the most 'normal' profile of all impact offenders. Continued funding of the center will depend on the continued growth of support and referrals from the courts and probation department. Tables are provided. Appendixes contain a user opinion questionnaire, a diagnostic evaluation, a presentence report and a subject characteristic face sheet.