Presentence Evaluations of Offenders Can Be More Responsive to the Needs of the Judiciary
GGD-85-14
Published: Apr 09, 1985. Publicly Released: Apr 09, 1985.
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Highlights
In order to report on how presentence psychiatric evaluations can be improved, GAO reviewed: (1) 157 cases where offenders were committed to the Federal Prison System for observation and study; and (2) 83 local studies ordered during fiscal year (FY) 1981.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Justice | The Judicial Conference, through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Federal Judicial Center, and the Attorney General, through the Federal Prison System, should form a partnership to develop criteria for the selection of cases appropriate for observation and study. |
Sentencing guidelines provided structure GAO found lacking in 1985. Changing conditions imply that this recommendation is no longer applicable. GAO will consider this as are assessed guidelines over the next 3 years.
|
| Judicial Conference of the United States | The Judicial Conference, through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Federal Judicial Center, and the Attorney General, through the Federal Prison System, should form a partnership to develop criteria for the selection of cases appropriate for observation and study. |
Sentencing guidelines provided structure GAO found lacking in 1985. Changing conditions imply that this recommendation is no longer applicable. GAO will consider this as it assesses guidelines over the next 3 years.
|
| Department of Justice | The Judicial Conference, through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Federal Judicial Center, and the Attorney General, through the Federal Prison System, should form a partnership to develop and disseminate guidance to district courts on the types of questions that clinical experts can be expected to answer. |
Sentencing guidelines provided structure GAO found lacking in 1985. Changing conditions imply that this recommedation is no longer applicable. GAO will consider this as it assesses guidelines over the next 3 years.
|
| Judicial Conference of the United States | The Judicial Conference, through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Federal Judicial Center, and the Attorney General, through the Federal Prison System, should form a partnership to develop and disseminate guidance to district courts on the types of questions that clinical experts can be expected to answer. |
Sentencing guidelines provided structure GAO found lacking in 1985. Changing conditions imply that this recommendation is no longer applicable. GAO will consider this as it assesses guidelines over the next 3 years.
|
| Department of Justice | The Judicial Conference, through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Federal Judicial Center, and the Attorney General, through the Federal Prison System, should form a partnership to establish a system for regular evaluation of whether the studies performed for the district courts are responsive to their needs. |
Sentencing guidelines provided structure GAO found lacking in 1985. Changing conditions imply that this recommendation is no longer applicable. GAO will consider this as it assesses guidelines over the next 3 years.
|
| Judicial Conference of the United States | The Judicial Conference, through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Federal Judicial Center, and the Attorney General, through the Federal Prison System, should form a partnership to establish a system for regular evaluation of whether the studies performed for the district courts are responsive to their needs. |
Sentencing guidelines provided structure GAO found lacking in 1985. Changing conditions imply that this recommendation is no longer applicable. GAO will consider this as it assesses guidelines over the next 3 years.
|
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Behavioral sciences researchCorrectional facilitiesCriminal procedureEvaluation criteriaJudicial procedureJudicial reformLitigationMental health care servicesTrialsJudges