NCJ Number
155533
Date Published
1994
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The mission of the Texas Criminal Justice Policy Council (CJPC) is to conduct strategic research, planning, and program evaluation that will improve the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, and the CJPC is charged with strategic planning, policy research, and program evaluation that will respond to the needs of policymakers.
Abstract
CJPC activities are directed at developing and improving State criminal justice information systems for law enforcement, courts, and corrections, as well as for policy analysis. The CJPC works in four areas to help State policymakers enact effective policies and evaluate the impact of policies: (1) Criminal Justice Information Authority which seeks to improve data and information systems for law enforcement, courts, and corrections; (2) research and evaluation; (3) special projects; and (4) interagency projects. Key trends in the response of Texas policymakers to growing demands on the correctional system and to problems in the State criminal justice system are examined. The implementation of major criminal justice system reforms by the CJPC is discussed, and the role of the CJPC in policy development is described and illustrated. It is pointed out that the CJPC is the only State criminal justice agency under an operational structure solely dedicated to strategic planning, policy research, and program evaluation. 2 figures