Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task Force : report to the ... Oklahoma Legislature

              C 5700.3 C979j 1992/93 c.5
Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center
Report to the 44th Oklahoma Legislature
May 1993
Table of contents
Letter of Transmittal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. i
Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task Force Membership. . • . . ii
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . iii
Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center . . . . . . . . . .. 1
Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium • . . . . . . .• 3
Grants Clearinghouse. . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . 6
Law Enforcement Information Network with Corrections. • . . .• 8
Criminal Justice Student Intern Program . . . • . . . . . . . . 10
2nd Annual Governor's Conference
on Community Response to Crime . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Serious Habitual Juvenile Offender
Program Implementation Task Force. • . . • . . . . . . • . . 12
Safety and Security Cabinet Study . . . . . • • . . • . . . . • 13
1993 Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Attachments Listing . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . • . . 20
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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
l\fEMORANDUM
TO: Speaker Glen D. Johnson
President Pro Tempore Robert V. Cullison
FROM: Representative Larry Rice
Senator Ben Brown
DATE: May 20,1993
RE: Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task Force Annual Report
Dear Speaker Johnson and President Pro Tempore Cullison:
On behalf of the members of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task Force Committee, we
hereby submit to you our annual report. This report summarizes projects of the task force in
its 5th year of work.
The task force was created per House Concurrent Resolution No. 1044 of the 1st session of the
41st Oklahoma Legislature and re-created and reorganized per House Concurrent Resolution No.
1090.
The task force was formed to study the criminal justice system in Oklahoma. The task force
seeks to identify areas within the criminal justice system which are in need of major
improvement and to develop and implement strategies to address those areas of need in order
to improve the criminal justice system.
In July of 1990, the task force became the policy and advisory board for the Oklahoma Criminal
Justice Resource Center, the state criminal justice Statistical Analysis Center. The resource
center has been able to implement a number of task force agendas during the first 3 years of our
new cooperative relationship.
The task force continues its efforts to study criminal justice issues and to take concrete action
on improving public protection by seeking a more efficient and effective criminal justice system.
Senator Ben Brown
Vice Chairman
Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task Force Membership
Legislative Members
House of Representatives Senate
Larry Rice
Dwayne Steidley
Ben Brown
Herb Rozell
Gerald IIGedll Wright
Nonlegislative Members (per House Resolution 1090)
Larry A. Fields
Sandy Howard
Tom Kemper
J. H. Kennedy, Jr.
David R. McBride
Robert Sanders
Bruce Walker
Director, Department of Corrections
Assistant Attorney General
Director, Commission on Children and Youth
Secretary of State
Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
Executive Director, Pardon and Parole Board
Executive Coordinator, District Attorneys Council
Nonlegislative Members (Appointed by House and Senate)
* Rosie Brown
Louis Bullock
Sam Gonzales
Bob Macy
John Maley
Richard Miller
Jerry Pogue
League of Women Voters
Attorney at Law
Chief of Police, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma County District Attorney
District Judge, Okmulgee County
District Judge, Marshall County
Tulsa Tribune
*The task force accepted, with great regret, the resignation of
Rosie Brown in December 1992. Mrs. Brown made significant
contributions to the task force and will be missed.
Special Members
Bob Gillian
Stanley Glanz
Bob Hicks
Cal Hobson
Bruce Storm
President, Chiefs of Police Association
Tulsa County Sheriff
Director, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Oklahoma State senator
Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association
Oklahoma criminal Justice Resource Center Staff (Support Members)
Cliff Sandel
Les Crabtree
Fran Ferrari
Bill Huntington
Donna Speer
Acting Director
Administrator
Research Coordinator
Grants Coordinator
LINC Coordinator
ii
Executive Summary
The Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task Force was created in June
1988 by the Oklahoma legislature to make recommendations concerning
needed legislation, the potential impact of existing and proposed
legislation, and the impact of agency policies which affect the
criminal justice system. The task force serves as the governing
body of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center.
Oklahoma's Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), which was established
on August 1, 1989, was named the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource
Center effective July 1, 1990. Partially funded by the U.S.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, the resource
center serves all levels of government, as well as the public, by
collecting and analyzing state criminal justice data to assist
policy makers.
During calendar year 1992 the Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task
Force and the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center supported
a number of criminal justice programs and projects to enhance the
collection and dissemination of criminal justice information in
Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium was established to
facilitate assessment and evaluation of state and federally funded
justice programs. Members of Oklahoma's academic community
interested in the research of criminal justice issues joined
criminal justice professionals committed to the collection,
analysis, and dissemination of criminal justice information. The
research consortium advised the Oklahoma Department of Corrections
in the award of research grants and assisted corrections in grant
management. These grants address issues critical to Oklahoma
criminal justice policy makers. Findings and reports will be
available to policy makers by mid-1993.
A Grants Clearinghouse was established in the fall of 1992. The
purposes of the clearinghouse are to develop grant, gift, and
nontraditional funding sources; develop grantsmanship capabilities
within agencies; secure grants, gifts and nontraditional funds; and
coordinate grant efforts between agencies. Initial accomplishments
include the formation of grants teams in several agencies, training
in grantsmanship methods and procedures, and establishment of a
grants reference library in the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource
Center.
iii
The Law Enforcement Information Network with Corrections (LINe)
project was expanded, now serving more than 350 state and local law
enforcement agencies. The capabilities of the program have been
enhanced to provide additional offender information to user
agencies.
A Criminal Justice Student Intern Program was initiated to provide
students the opportunity to apply theories and principles learned in
the classroom to the research and evaluation of criminal justice
issues. Students are exposed to a broad range of statistics,
research, and data sources available from criminal justice and
public administration agencies and practitioners. This innovative
effort benefits the participating institutions, the criminal justice
community, and the student interns.
-_.-
The 2nd Annual Governor's Conference on CcmImunityResponse to Crime
welcomed more than 350 criminal justice professionals, local and
state officials, educators, civic leaders, and private citizens.
The conference provided participants a forum to share views on
criminal :justice issues. Participants were asked to identify
critical issues and propose possible solutions. These ideas were
recorded and analyzed to be presented during a follow-up session
early in 1993. The issues were to be ranked and used to formulate
recommendations for the criminal justice legislative agenda for 1993
and 1994.
The Serious Habitual Juvenile Offender Program Implementation Task
Force continued to develop strategic and tactical plans to curtail
the growing incidence of juvenile crime in Oklahoma. A primary
focus has been finding a procedure by which law enforcement agencies
can access information to identify serious and habitual juvenile
offenders. Muchprogress has been made by the task force.
A Safety and Security Cabinet Study was initiated to study agency
policies, procedures, and programs with the purpose of improving the
criminal justice system in Oklahoma. Reports of findings were
presented to Safety and Security Cabinet Secretary David R. McBride
late in 1992. The recommendations are under review and will be
presented to appropriate decision makers in 1993.
The Criminal Justice System Task Force 1993 Strategy is to improve
criminal justice systems by fostering cooperative efforts and
communications between criminal justice agencies. The task force
will continue to enhance the availability, quality, and
accessibility of criminal justice data. To accomplish this
strategy, the task force and the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource
Center will focus their efforts in three primary areas.
Information integration will enhance the potential utility for
criminal justice agencies. The strategy will be to promote
information sharing, exchange of expertise, and systems integration.
Research expansion includes expansion of the Oklahoma Criminal
Justice Research Consortium and the Student Intern Program. The
primary strategy to expand the consortium will be to facilitate
coordination between the consortium and state and local law
enforcement agencies. Expansion of the intern program will be
accomplished by coordinating additional internship opportunities
iv
with existing and additional higher education institutions which are
not currently involved.
Grants maximization strategy will include the formalization of the
grant seeking process and exploration of mutual interest areas where
grant efforts may be coordinated and jointly pursued. A system to
monitor grant efforts and assist law enforcement agencies in the
pursuit of grants and gifts will be formalized.
v
Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center
The Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center was established on
August 1, 1989, as the Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) for
Oklahoma. Following passage of House Bill 1952, the Oklahoma
Criminal Justice System Task Force became the policy and advisory
board for the resource center effective July 1, 1990.
The resource center is partially funded by the United States
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice statistics (BJS). BJS
requires each SAC to be a nonpartisan professional organization
which serves all branches of the criminal justice system and all
levels of government in the state as well as the public, and to
collect and analyze state criminal justice data to assist policy
makers. This is the basis of the resource center's mission
statement:
The mission of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center is to
improve criminal justice information systems, data sharing, and data
use. The purpose is to increase the availability of criminal
justice data; to increase the accessibility to that data by a
variety of federal, state, and local criminal justice decision
makers; to improve the quality of information available; and to
increase the ease with which the data are obtained.
Oklahoma Statutes Title 57, Section 508.2 mandates that the
resource center perform certain activities.
1. Provide a clearinghouse for criminal justice information.
2. Provide a central contact point for federal, state, and local
criminal justice agencies.
3. Provide technical assistance for all criminal justice agencies of
the state.
4. Provide consultation for criminal justice agencies in the state in
preparing reports, gaining funding, or preparing information.
5. Require criminal justice agencies to contribute information for
state analysis of criminal justice issues.
6. Collect and analyze criminal justice data.
7. Produce reports for state and local criminal justice agencies.
8. Facilitate information networking.
9. Attend state meetings concerning criminal justice.
10. Represent the state at national meetings or conferences of criminal
justice statistics associations of other states.
Following the guidance of the Criminal Justice System Task Force,
the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center has been pro-active
in the development and implementation of criminal justice
information systems. The approach has been to assess criminal
justice needs, research available information, facili tate
information sharing, collect and summarize data, and encourage and
assist with the development of information networks among criminal
justice agencies.
During 1992 the resource center was involved in a number of major • projects to improve collection and dissemination of criminal
justice information. Some projects have been completed; some have
been transferred to criminal justice agencies capable of sustaining
and enhancing the programs; and still others are ongoing. The
projects and programs supported by the task force and the resource
center during calendar year 1992 are highlighted in this report.
In accordance with the charge to the Criminal Justice System Task
Force and the resource center mission, future activities will be
oriented toward continuing to expand research and analysis
capabilities, providing technical expertise in the gathering and
dissemination of information, and offering technical assistance to
law enforcement agencies. Programs being continued, as well as new
programs and directions, are also described in this report.
Russ Buchner, director of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource
Center since 1990, resigned in November 1992. Mr. Buchner was a
dynamic member of the Oklahoma criminal justice community. He
earned national recognition for his work in the Oklahoma criminal
justice system and through his publications and work in various
Bureau of Justice Statistics projects and programs. The Criminal
Justice System Task Force commends Mr. Russ Buchner for his
outstanding contributions to criminal justice in Oklahoma.
2
Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium
The Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium was established
in 1992 to facilitate assessment and evaluation of state and
federally funded justice programs. Consortium members include
college and university researchers and representatives of criminal
justice agencies committed to collection, analysis, and
dissemination of criminal justice information. (Current membership
list is presented as Attachment A).
Prior to the formation of the consortium, criminal justice data
were fragmented among agencies with no common format, collection
method, or dissemination vehicle. Late in 1991 the Department of
Corrections received state funding for program evaluation related
to corrections and prison overcrowding. Funding agencies were
informed in advance that neither the resource center nor the
Department of Corrections would have the resources to adequately
complete the program assessments and that contractual agreements
with universities would be required.
To proceed, a formal relationship between the research community,
criminal justice practitioners, and policy makers would be
necessary. In May 1992 faculty of major research universities and
colleges in Oklahoma were contacted about the concept of initiating
a research consortium. The concept was warmly received and
supported.
In June an invitation announcing a meeting to lay the foundations
for initiating a research consortium was distributed. Invitations
were sent throughout the higher education community, with specific
targeting of criminal justice researchers with varied academic
disciplines.
In July, 62 representatives from public and private colleges and
universities throughout Oklahoma attended the first meeting. An
executive committee was formed, which appointed sub-committees to
study and develop mechanisms and guidelines to formalize the
consortium. Following exceptional work by the sub-committees, the
group met again in October to formalize the Oklahoma Criminal
Justice Research Consortium. Several notable accomplishments have
been realized in a few short months.
Established membership and recruitment requirements which encourage
membership from the academic community, state agencies, and policy
and decision makers.
3
Drafted by-laws structured to ensure that research will meet
generally accepted criteria and produce information necessary to
user agencies and policy makers.
Established a process for submission and review of proposals which
ensures the quality of research and which meets the criteria of user
agencies.
Developed a list of research areas deemed appropriate for initial
research, resul ting in the initial Request For Proposals (RFP).
(Research areas are presented as Attachment B).
Established a central clearinghouse for monitoring proposals and
facilitating pre-review of proposals by the research community,
prior to submitting to the funding agency for final approval.
Developed and distributed a survey to the criminal justice community
to establish priorities for issues to research in the future.
(Research agenda survey questions are presented as Attachment C).
Analysis of the survey has been completed and will be used to set
the research agenda of the consortium in 1993.
Late in the fall of 1992 the consortium issued RFP's for research
into a series of critical issues identified as described above.
Proposals were received and reviewed by December 1 and research
contracts were issued in February 1993. (Research projects
approved for funding are presented as Attachment D). The results,
with recommendations, will be available to criminal justice
decision makers in the summer of 1993, for consideration during the
FY 94 and FY 95 planning process.
During this same period, the resource center began a survey of
state and local criminal justice agencies throughout Oklahoma.
Professionals in corrections, law enforcement, juvenile justice,
prosecution, judiciary, academic, and elected officials were asked
specific questions about a wide range of criminal justice issues.
Those surveyed were asked to identi:fy issues critical to their area
of criminal justice and prioritize issues. (Law enforcement survey
results are presented as Attachment E).
The results of the survey were analyzed and ranked by level of
interest, forming the basis for the research consortium agenda for
the upcoming year. This agenda will be addressed by the research
consortium. RFP's to investigate these issues will be issued in
the summer of 1993.
Funding for the initial research projects was appropriated to the
Department of Corrections by the legislature during FY 92 for use
in FY 93. Continuation of this funding is the critical factor in
determining the scope of the research to be undertaken in FY 94.
Funding availability will determine the number of issues which may
be examined and the depth of the research.
To further support the research consortium's efforts, the resource
center has proposed restructuring of the annual SAC operating grant
from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Under the restructuring
formula, 97 percent of the $50,000 expected grant funds, or
4
$48,500, will be used to fund criminal justice research through the
research consortium.
The resource center provides administrative services required to
support the research consortium. Resource center staff serve on
various committees, including the executive and proposal review
committees. Negotiation of research contracts is coordinated
through the research consortium and the Department of Corrections,
with the assistance of the resource center.
As a part of each contract, the principle investigator agreed to
provide results of the research and a complete data set to the
resource center. Copies of research findings, data reports, and
recommendations will be maintained in the resource center, forming
a research library available for dissemination to all criminal
justice agencies in Oklahoma and across the nation.
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5
Grants Clearinghouse
In the spring of 1992 David R. McBride, cabinet secretary of Safety
and Security, identified a need to pursue nontraditional sources of
funding for criminal justice in Oklahoma. He asked the Criminal
Justice Resource Center to coordinate an effort to establish a
clearinghouse to assist the agencies of the Safety and Security
Cabinet in pursuing these funds. In July 1992 a letter was sent to
all Safety and Security agency heads announcing the reasons for and
the intent of the clearinghouse.
In September 1992 the resource center invited representatives of
all Safety and Security Cabinet agencies to a meeting to discuss
the project. Twenty-eight representatives of Safety and Security
agencies responded to the invitation. During the initial meeting
the purpose and goals and objectives were identified.
Purpose - To assist Safety and Security Cabinet agencies:
Develop nontraditional sources of funding.
Develop grantsmanship capabilities within each agency.
Secure grants, gifts, and nontraditional funding.
Coordinate efforts between agencies to maximize federal,
state, and nontraditional funding sources.
Goals and Objectives
Establish a grants resource center, to include:
A reference library
Grant proposal and review assistance
Research and other technical assistance.
Establish grant teams within each agency.
Provide initial and sustainment grantsmanship training.
Establish grant guidelines and standards.
Current membership includes 33 individuals, representing 13 Safety
and Security agencies, the Department of Health, and one local law
enforcement agency. (Current membership roster is presented as
Attachment G).
The group set as ,its first priority the acquisition of the
expertise necessary to write grant proposals. The services of a
6
noted grantsmanship writer and trainer, Dr. Deke Johnson, Oklahoma
State University, were secured. A two-day grantsmanship training
seminar, funded by the Department of Corrections, was presented to
27 individuals representing 11 agencies in October 1992. Following
this seminar, seven agencies formed grant writing teams which
consisted of two to six members each.
The second critical priority was the establishment of a reference .
library with descriptions of the grant sources available, including
lists of grant resources, application and program requirements and
procedures, and publications available for technical assistance. -
Supported by funding from the Department of Corrections, the
resource center began building the library in October 1992. Grant
periodicals, grant program references, and lists of regional and
national grant sources are now available. Information concerning
library contents which highlight new acquisitions, is distributed
quarterly to all members.
Sustainment training has been accomplished by referring
grantsmanship seminar announcements to members. In addition, each
regular meeting includes presentations of short programs on topics
which could be useful to members desiring to pursue grants. These
programs have included such diverse topics as a discussion of the
research consortium formation, capabilities, and directions.
Writing and submitting grant proposals has remained with
individual agencies. Experiments in coordination between agencies
has been initiated in limited projects. Review of and technical
assistance with grant proposals, prior to submission, has likewise
been very limited.
To accomplish the fourth goal, establishing grant guidelines and
standards, the staff at the resource center have been researching
other state's procedures, looking for models and procedures already
in place which may be adapted for Oklahoma. In 1993 the primary
focus of the clearinghouse will be to formalize procedures to
further the aims established for the clearinghouse.
7
Law Enforcement Information Network with corrections
The Law Enforcement Information Network with Corrections (LINC) is
a criminal justice information system which includes information on
all persons convicted of felonies in Oklahoma since 1979. Included
in the system are persons receiving deferred or suspended probation
sentences and those sentenced to incarceration, paroled, or
otherwise released early from incarceration. Over 100,000 records
are contained in the system.
LINe is more than a name search system which provides felony
conviction information. Law enforcement officials are able to
conduct crime analysis using LINC data as well as generate crime
suspect lists by zip code, county, or state wide. Habitual
offenders can be identified by crime type. Offenders may be sorted
by a number of variables including court number, number of felony
convictions, or by appearance factor (eye color, height, etc.)
Initially, the resource center provided information about the LINC
project to every law enforcement agency in Oklahoma. The resource
center secured a federal grant to provide 75 percent of the funding
to facilitate the purchase of hardware and software necessary to
join the system. Agencies could join the LINC system for an
approximate $1,000 investment, matched with $3,000 in federal
funding from the u.s. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). During
the first two years of the project, the resource center provided a
"LINC Hot Line," assisting user agencies in the maintenance of the
system and answering user's questions.
The LINC system has grown to more than 350 user agencies. LINC is
available in virtually every county and all major cities in
Oklahoma. Local law enforcement offices, sheriffs, district
attorneys, and several state and federal agencies are now "LINC'ed"
with the Department of Corrections data resources.
During 1992 an evaluation of the system was initiated. User
agencies were asked what they needed from LINC: which capabilities
currently available were most and least useful; what additional
information would enhance utility; and to prioritize requested
enhancements. The responses were evaluated and will be used to
determine the future directions and additions to the system.
Several requested enhancements are already in process. Among these
are direct modem access with the Department of Corrections
mainframe computer, additional data fields and information sorting
capabilities, and new graphics capabilities, allowing the
transmission of "mug shots" to user agencies.
LINC has become an established program serving criminal justice
agencies throughout Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of
Corrections has provided the data and systems support from the
8
beginning. In keeping with the resource center's mission,
assumption of responsibility for the LINC program systems by the
Department of Corrections has been planned. The transition will be
completed in April 1993. Corrections will provide support and
maintenance directly to agency users, ending the resource center's
involvement in the LINC project.
Donna Speer, LINC coordinator, will move to the Department of
Corrections with the LINC program. Ms. Speer has been a dynamic
force in the LINC program implementation. Much of the success of
the LINC program is due to her dedication and professionalism. She-is
known throughout the Oklahoma law enforcement community as the
"LINC Lady," providing technical assistance and advice to hundreds
of users. The Criminal Justice System Task Force joins the
resource center in commending Donna Speer for her diligence,
dedication, and outstanding contributions to criminal justice.
9
Criminal Justice Student Intern Program
In the fall of 1992 the resource center initiated a Criminal
Justice Student Intern Program in a cooperative effort with
colleges and universities in Oklahoma. Colleges and universities
participating, to date, include the University of Oklahoma,
Oklahoma City University, and the University of Central Oklahoma.
Interns have been accepted from a myriad of disciplines, including
political science, law enforcement, public administration,
sociology, social work, and psychology.
The student intern program provides first-hand experience to
undergraduate and graduate students interested in researching and
analyzing criminal justice issues. Students are exposed to a broad
range of statistics, research, and data sources available from
criminal justice and public administration agencies and
practi tioners. Administered by the resource center research
coordinator, Fran M. Ferrari, students have the opportunity to
gather data, analyze that data, and assist with the preparation and
dissemination of reports.
In addition to hands-on experience, students are encouraged to
attend resource center sponsored seminars. Presenters are
professionals from a wide variety of criminal justice disciplines.
Notable speakers include representatives from federal agencies,
(Secret Service and Justice Research and Statistics Association)
and state agencies (Alcohol Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission
and the Department of Corrections).
This innovative program has been well received by all parties. The
interns have gained experience in research and analytical
methodologies and report generation. Participating institutions
have a vehicle to validate learning in the classroom through "hands
on" experience. State agencies have benefitted from the research
contributions of the students in the decision making process. This
project clearly demonstrates the benefits of teaming higher
education institutions with law enforcement in areas of mutual
interest.
Future plans include expansion of the program to additional
colleges and universi ties. Interns will be exposed to current
criminal justice issues and will be assigned to participate in
various research projects sponsored by the research consortium.
Representatives of additional state, local, and federal criminal
justice agencies and legislative leaders will be invited to address
the group.
10
2nd Annual Governor's Conference on Community Response to Crime
The 2nd Annual Governor's Conference on Community Response to Crime
was held in October 1992 in Tulsa. (Conference program is
presented as Attachment H). More than 350 criminal justice
professionals, local and state officials, educators, civic leaders,
and private citizens attended the two-day event.
Planning and coordination of the conference involved a cooperative effort between several state agencies and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. State agencies involved included the Department of
Public Safety, Department of Corrections, office of Attorney
General, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, District Attorneys
Council, and the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center.
Funding was provided by a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant
through the Drug and Violent Crime Policy Board, private donations,
and registration fees.
Following Governor Walters' keynote address, the group participated
in discussions and workshops covering a wide range of justice
issues vital to communities. Nationally renowned speakers
addressed such issues as the economic impact of crime on the
community, creative approaches to prosecution, volunteerism, crime
as a health issue, and understanding and dealing with differences
between law-abiding citizens and criminals. Workshops included
discussions of community issues, including community corrections
programs, community and citizen policing, and information
technology's usefulness in combatting violent crime.
During the conference, attendees participated in a brainstorming
session to identify criminal justice issues critical to Oklahoma's
communities. Participants were asked to identify critical issues
and propose possible solutions. These ideas were recorded and
analyzed. During a follow-up session to be held in January 1993,
the list will be prioritized. The prioritized issues and solutions
will be used to formulate recommendations for the criminal justice
legislative agenda for 1993 and 1994.
The 3rd annual Governor's Conference is already being planned.
Scheduled for mid-October 1993 in Oklahoma City, the conference
will include follow-up of issues identified as critical during the
previous conference and input from participants to improve and
enhance the criminal justice system in Oklahoma.
11
Serious Habitual Juvenile Offender Program
Implementation Task Force
The Serious Habitual Juvenile Offender Program Implementation Task
Force was formed in 1990 and charged to study the criminal justice
system in Oklahoma as it relates to juvenile offenders. The task
force membership includes representatives from state and local
criminal justice agencies, Oklahoma Department of Human Services
and other social and welfare agencies, Attorney General's office,
legislative leaders, and private citizens.
The task force is charged with developing both strategic and
tactical plans to address the growing incidence of juvenile crime
in Oklahoma and manage the growing population of serious and
habitual juvenile offenders. Issues of concern include increased
gang activity, higher incidence of violent crimes committed by
youth, and the spread of drug related crimes among Oklahoma's
youth.
One of the primary critical needs is the ability for law
enforcement agencies to identify serious and habitual juvenile
offenders. To accomplish this, the task force has been working to
make Department of Human Services (DHS) information available to
criminal justice agencies while maintaining confidentiality of
juvenile data. DHS and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
(OSBI) have been coordinating the transfer of information to the
Oklahoma Law Enforcement Tracking System (OLETS). Excellent
progress has been made and testing is scheduled to begin in 1993.
Other task force subcommittees are investigating issues in
preparation for developing and forwarding recommendations to policy
and decision makers concerning prevention and investigation of
juvenile crime and the appropriate protocol to be followed once a
youth enters the juvenile justice system. Preliminary research and
analysis are nearing completion. Initial recommendations
addressing strategic issues are expected during 1993.
12
Safety and Security Cabinet Study
David R. McBride, cabinet secretary of Safety and Security,
initiated a study of the Safety and Security Cabinet agencies. The
study was to review separate agency policies, procedures, and
programs; discuss possibilities for improving criminal justice
systems in Oklahoma; and make recommendations to enhance the
effectiveness of Oklahoma's criminal justice system. Areas
reviewed included agency missions, goals and objectives,
administration, fiscal procedures, agency operating programs,
communications systems, and inter-agency programs and projects.
Subcommittees were formed to investigate, in depth, a myriad of
issues relating to these broad areas. Programs, procedures, and
methods utilized by the various agencies, and similar agencies in
other states, were reviewed. Reports were presented to Secretary
McBride in late 1992. Proposals are under review and will be
presented to appropriate decision makers in 1993.
The staff of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center express
their appreciation to Secretary McBride for the opportunity to
participate in this endeavor.
13
The 1993 strategy of the Criminal Justice System Task Force is to
improve criminal justice systems by fostering cooperative efforts
and communications between criminal justice agencies. In addition,
the task force will work to enhance the availability, quality, and
accessibility of criminal justice data. To accomplish this
strategy, the task force and the resource center will focus their
efforts in three primary areas: information integration, research
expansion, and grants maximization.
1993 Strategy
Information Integration
Integration of criminal justice information systems will enhance
the potential utility for criminal justice agencies. Federal and
state agencies are developing excellent information systems.
Examples of the programs in development or in use, are the Law
Enforcement Information Network with Corrections (LINC), Juvenile
On-Line Tracking System (JOLTS), the Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS), and the Offender Based Transaction
Statistics (OBTS) system. Each of these programs has a specific
purpose in assisting criminal justice agencies.
To this end, the resource center will work with agencies to promote
information sharing, expertise, and systems integration. In so
doing, the availability of data for future research and evaluation
will be enhanced.
The Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium will be expanded.
The focus will continue to be on analyses useful to agency and
legislative policy and decision makers. Issues identified by the
recent survey of criminal justice professionals has set the
research agenda for the next year.
Research Expansion
The resource center will continue to coordinate efforts between the
consortium and state and local law enforcement agencies. The task
force desires to make research resources available to a broader
range of state and local agencies.
The Criminal Justice Student Intern Program will be expanded to
support these efforts and to afford additional students the
opportunity to validate their classroom experience. Additional
institutions will have the opportunity of placing students in the
program and existing institutions will be encouraged to increase
their involvement in the program.
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Grants Maximization
The key to expanding information integration and research efforts
is funding. To this end, the resource center will pursue
additional funding from traditional and nontraditional sources.
The initiation of the Safety and Security Grants Clearinghouse has
given individual agencies the capability to seek and secure
alternative funding. The plan of the task force is to formalize
the grant seeking process and expand the service beyond the
agencies of the Safety and Security Cabinet to assist any criminal
justice agency in Oklahoma.
As the agencies explore the grants market, they find themselves in
direct competition with other Oklahoma criminal justice agencies.
To maximize the probability of success, agencies should explore
coordination and cooperation in specific areas of mutual interest.
To this end, the resource center is tasked to identify areas in
which agencies may initiate cooperative proposals, coordinate grant
initiatives, and monitor grant efforts.
To accomplish this, a system to monitor and assist agencies in the
pursuit of grants must be put in place. The resource center is
tasked to recommend a system to accomplish this and to develop
policies and procedures to maximize federal and other
nontraditional funding.
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