NCJ Number
11550
Date Published
1973
Length
126 pages
Annotation
STUDY OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF FURTHER PROBATION EXPANSION BASED ON THE PRESENT COUNTY-FINANCED SYSTEM OF PROBATION.
Abstract
THE COST INFORMATION ON THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WAS OBTAINED BY CONSULTING OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN SUPPORT OF THE PRISON SYSTEM. A FACILITIES SURVEY OF SELECTED REPRESENTATIVE PROBATION OFFICES WAS CONDUCTED TO OBTAIN CURRENT COST DATA ON ADULT FELON PROBATION. IT WAS FOUND THAT COUNTIES WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROBATION SERVICE. THE COUNTY ADMINISTERED SYSTEM OF PROBATION WAS CHARACTERIZED BY LACK OF SERVICE, UNDERSTAFFING, AND HIGH CASELOADS. AS A RESULT, THE TEXAS PRISON POPULATION INCREASED AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE GENERAL POPULATION. THE EVALUATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE COST OF INCARCERATION IN TEXAS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN WOULD BE THE COST OF A MODEL, COUNTY OPERATED PROBATION SYSTEM. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED STATE SUBSIDY OF TWO THIRDS OF THE COST OF SUCH A SYSTEM, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY A STATE PROBATION COORDINATION OFFICE. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE ADMINISTERED TRAINING AND ORIENTATION FACILITY WAS ALSO SUGGESTED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. STATISTICAL DATA ON THE COSTS OF PROBATION AND IMPRISONMENT IS ALSO PROVIDED.