Table of Contents Title Page Introduction NEBRASKA-Portraying Juvenile Crime over Time MASSACHUSETTS- Evaluating Cops and Kids NEW MEXICO-Mixing Juveniles with Adults |
Introduction The importance of linking reliable data and information to effective criminal justice policymaking has been accepted nationwide and stands as the primary goal and function of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). By funding projects through the state Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) and the State Justice Statistics (SJS) program, BJS has strongly supported formulation and development of data collection and program evaluation. This publication is the first in a continuing series that will present findings of original SJS-generated projects which have created or revised data sets to provide policymakers better perspectives on criminal justice problems and possible remedies. The reports of six Statistical Analysis Centers-Arizona, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and New Mexico-are summarized in this publication. Material taken directly or adapted from the SACs’ reports is presented in a standard format, as outlined below: Problem Statement-describes the criminal justice problem addressed by the project. This section also discusses the types of possible responses to the problem, ranging from broad, policy initiatives to narrow, program-specific activities. In detailing the types of possible responses, the report points to areas and types of data needed from the SACs in their SJS projects. Purposes of Data-outlines the possible uses of data collected in the project, such as developing a general portrait of the problem situation, creating a monitoring system to assist implementation, and providing specific program information for process and/or outcome evaluation. Data Collection-focuses on the type(s) of data needed or developed by the project and the methodologies used to obtain them, including existing agency data, program-specific data not otherwise collected by the implementing agency, relevant existing data from other sources (government, foundations, businesses, volunteer organizations, etc.), program participant interviews and surveys, and existing research and data sources in the topic area(s). Data Analysis Based on Purposes of Data-applies the data generated and collected to creating a portrait of the problem, monitoring implementation, and/or evaluating processes and outcomes. Recommendations-details the researchers’ prescription(s), if any, for the program. Real and Potential Applications of Data-discusses the actual use of the data by policymakers as collected and/or analyzed and projects the potential implications of the data for similar program areas and/or other jurisdictions. The initial section of the report will discuss the general criminal justice topic being studied and the importance and timeliness of building useful data sets to inform policymakers about the topic. The subsequent sections will examine, by state, the SJS projects performed to support policymakers seeking statistical and other information on specific problem or program areas. Each section will follow the above format to spell out the problem area, to state the purposes and nature of the data collected, and to analyze and apply the data once developed. The objectives of these reports, then, are:
The discussion of each state project in this report is adapted from original reports produced by the state Statistical Analysis Centers. Below each state’s section of this report is the title, producing agency or agencies, and contact person for the full SAC report from that state. Readers interested in obtaining further information or copies of the full reports may contact the individuals whose names are listed. Three of the studies summarized here (Arizona, Massachusetts, and New Mexico) used surveys or other data collection instruments. Copies of these instruments may be downloaded from the JRSA Survey Library located in the Resources section of JRSA’s Web site (www.jrsa.org).
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