NCJ Number
46009
Date Published
1978
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THE PROPOSED REVISED UNIFORM PAROLE (UPR) SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED, AND UPR EVALUATION PROJECTS AND DATA SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED REVISIONS ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
THE FUNCTION OF UPR WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED IN THE REVISED UPR SYSTEM, BUT THE SCOPE OF INQUIRY INTO THE PAROLE PROCESS WILL EXPAND BEYOND PAROLE STATISTICS REPORTS TO INCLUDE ANNUAL SUMMARIES OF AREA POPULATION MOVEMENTS AND ORGANIZATION CHARACTERISTICS OF PAROLE AGENCIES, DETAILED STUDIES OF PAROLE ENTRY AND TERMINATION, SPECIAL INFORMATION ON EXPLANATORY AND VALIDITY STUDIES OF PAROLE DATA, AND AN INFORMATION REFERRAL SERVICE THAT WILL DEAL WITH PAROLE LEGISLATION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS. AN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT OF UPR WAS CONDUCTED IN 1977 TO EVALUATE THE SYSTEM'S ADEQUACY AND ACCURACY. THE PROCEDURE INCLUDED A SYSTEM ASSESSMENT, AN EVALUATION OF THE UPR DATA BASE AND DATA HANDLING APPROACHES, AND A UPR STAFF SURVEY TO GATHER INFORMATION ON THE ADEQUACY OF UPR CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH QUESTIONS CONCERNING OFFENDERS, PAROLE AGENCIES, AND NATIONAL PRISONER STATISTICS. AN EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT ALSO WAS CONDUCTED. IT INCLUDED A METHODOLOGICAL EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY A PERSON OUTSIDE THE UPR STAFF. AN EVALUATION-PLANNING COLOQUIUM WAS HELD DURING 1977, AND IT WAS ATTENDED BY UPR PERSONNEL AND REPRESENTATIVES OF PAROLE-CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS, STATE PAROLE BOARDS, LEAA, AND CRIMINOLOGISTS AND EX-OFFENDERS. THREE SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN 1977 GATHERED INFORMATION ON USER RESPONSE TO UPR, PAROLE SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS, AND RESEARCHER'S AND CRIMINOLOGIST'S NEEDS REGARDING PAROLE DATA. AN INTERIM CODING AND DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED TO EASE THE TRANSITION INTO THE NEW SYSTEM WHICH WILL INCLUDE DATA MANAGEMENT AND DATA ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES, AND THE UPR STAFF WAS REORGANIZED TO INCLUDE A SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE UNIT, A STATISTICAL REPORTING UNIT, A RESEARCH COMPONENT, AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENT. (DAG)