NCJ Number
202238
Date Published
December 1998
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This report presents the review and recommendations made by the Koch Crime Institute regarding a government report from the Kansas Sentencing Commission to the Legislature on the consolidation of field services, specifically probation, parole, and community corrections.
Abstract
In 1991, the Kansas Legislature directed the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to form a task force to study consolidation of field services. The services being reviewed included probation, parole, and community supervision since questions had arisen during the 1970's and 1980's regarding the effectiveness of separate organizational structures for programs performing similar functions. A thorough analysis of consolidation was conducted and the report issued in 1992, providing a comprehensive review of Kansas field services and recommended consolidation of field services. A second task force was formed to consider the implementation of consolidation. Senate Bill 21 was introduced to the 1993 legislature by the Senate Judiciary Committee which included provisions for consolidation of field services under the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC). However, after the 1993 session, no other legislative activity on field services consolidation occurred. The Koch Crime Institute was requested in 1994 to review and make recommendations regarding the Report to the Legislature on Field Services Consolidation. Recommendations included: (1) the reorganization of the administration of correctional field services within the next 2 years and (2) the formation of a field services transition team by 1996. This consolidation provides for a balance of power and responsibility between State and local governments.