NCJ Number
5025
Date Published
1972
Length
192 pages
Annotation
REVIEW OF EFFORT BY VERA INSTITUTE TO EFFECT CHANGE THROUGH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEW YORK CITY'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES
Abstract
THE VERA INSTITUTE HAS INTRODUCED REFORM IN NEW YORK CITY'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY IMPROVING THE SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR. VERA'S FIRST UNDERTAKING, FOR INSTANCE, WAS THE MANHATTAN BAIL PROJECT, AN EXPERIMENT TO SEE WHETHER PEOPLE WOULD RETURN FOR TRIAL IF RELEASED WITHOUT BAIL AND HOW THEIR CASES COMPARED WITH THE CASES OF THOSE NOT GRANTED RELEASE AS WELL AS THOSE RELEASED ON BAIL. ANOTHER PROJECT FOCUSED ATTENTION ON DIVERTING INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS YOUTHS, INDIGENTS, DERELICTS, AND DRUG ADDICTS WHO ENCUMBER THE SYSTEM AND REDIRECTING THEM TO ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES WHERE THEY MIGHT RECEIVE MORE HUMANE AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. VERA HAS ATTEMPTED TO ACT AS A CATALYST AND COORDINATER, BRINGING TOGETHER PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO ACHIEVE COMMON GOALS.