Roles and responsibilities: Analyzing local leaders' views on jail crowding from a systems perspective

    Authors

    R. K. Davis; B. K. Applegate; C. W. Otto; R. Surette;B. J. McCarthy

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Crime Delinq.

    Keywords

    jails; crowding; policy makers; Criminology & Penology

    Abstract

    Jail crowding is a substantial concern for many local jurisdictions. Although several authors have suggested a system-wide approach to reduce crowding, relatively little is known about how lop local criminal justice officials view this issue. Using interviews and surveys of criminal justice leaders in a large southern metropolitan county, this study examined perspectives on jail crowding and perceived interagency relationships. Consistent with prior studies, the respondents agreed that jail crowding is a problem and that the consequences of crowding extend beyond the correctional facility. Greater discord was observed on issues of agency responsibility for changing policies to effect reductions in crowding. Findings are interpreted within the context of a "loose coupling" framework of criminal justice organizations.

    Journal Title

    Crime & Delinquency

    Volume

    50

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2004

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    458

    Last Page

    482

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000221922100007

    ISSN

    0011-1287

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