NCJ Number
26189
Date Published
Unknown
Length
161 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS, FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER GROUPS SERVING BOSTON AND MASSACHUSETTS.
Abstract
THE MASSACHUSETTS DEFENDER COMMITTEE (MDC) IS A STATEWIDE, STATE FINANCED ORGANIZATION CREATED BY STATUTE TO PROVIDE REPRESENTATION (EXCEPT IN CAPITAL CASES) TO INDIGENT CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS. THE ROXBURY DEFENDERS, INC. IS A DEFENDER PROJECT FUNDED BY A LEAA GRANT TO MDC WHICH PROVIDES REPRESENTATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF THE ROXBURY AREA OF BOSTON. THE EVALUATION ACTIVITIES CONSISTED OF FIRST-HAND OBSERVATION OF ALL MDC OFFICES AND THE ROXBURY PROJECT. OBSERVATION OF COURT PROCEEDINGS, THE EXAMINATION OF COURT AND OFFICE RECORDS, AND OVER 200 INTERVIEWS WITH DEFENDERS, STAFF, MEMBERS OF VARIOUS COURTS, AND CLIENTS. THE EVALUATION SHOWED THAT THE MDC ADMINISTRATION, PERSONNEL POLICIES, SALARIES, FILE-FLOW, OFFICES, SERVICES TO CLIENTS AND USE OF STUDENTS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS WERE INADEQUATE. ESPECIALLY FAULTED WAS THE LACK OF ADMINISTRATIVE INITIATIVE AND INNOVATION. SIMILARLY, JUVENILE REPRESENTATION, AND REPRESENTATION AT BAIL AND PROBATION HEARINGS WERE FOUND TO BE INSUFFICIENT. BRANCH OFFICES OF THE MDC EXPERIENCED MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE ROXBURY DEFENDERS, INC., WAS FOUND TO BE QUITE SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING PROJECT GOALS, AND HAS HIGH OFFICE MORALS AND EFFECTIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS. A SERIES OF 102 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THESE DEFENDER GROUPS IS INCLUDED.