Criminal Justice Management Information System - Research Paper Example

? Criminal Justice Management Information System Criminal justice management infers the oversight, management, and supervision of a criminal justice system. Criminal justice management system encompasses an integrated computer system employed to locate, track, spotlight, charge, book, prosecute, and supervise criminal offenders. Criminal justice system files and processes civil cases, as well as automate jury management and payroll. This paper explores various aspects of Criminal justice management information system. Criminal Justice Management information system Introduction The criminal justice system runs information centering on criminal incidents, potential defendants, inmates, and court process, inclusive of scheduling of events and outcome of past events. Criminal justice system information is critical in influencing how people are treated in the system, and may have a bearing on the outcome of the individual cases. The quantity, quality, and timeliness of information are crucial to the operations of the criminal justice system. Moreover, a criminal justice system indicates a significant interrelationship between efficiency and the quality of the justice dispensed. The automated systems provide a one-time entry of data and an efficient access to justice information to all agencies that are in need of it via shared files and system resources, while at the same time restricting unauthorized access to certain criminal history and other confidential information as maybe stipulated by applicable laws and regulations. Criminal justice management systems facilitate multijurisdictional information sharing across the criminal justice system (Allen & Sawhney, 2010). Integration of management information systems demands adoption of common standards in data entry, policies, software, protocols, and hardware systems. Management information systems form a critical component of criminal justice system. In fact, technical computing systems have had a real impact on organizational developments within the criminal justice field. The chief purpose of management information systems is to avail effective and efficient means of capturing, tracking, analyzing, and applying information to organizations’ needs and outcomes. This heightens return on investment from constantly-scarce resources, especially in governmental settings. For instance, management information systems such as “offender management system” impact and interact with organizational development and human behavior. Today, more and more state criminal justice systems employ statewide computing systems to keep track of criminal offenders as well as to enhance rehabilitation. The offender management information systems often employ integrated record tracking from diverse information sources (Welsh & Harris, 2012). The need for criminal justice officers and organizations to share data increases commensurate with the crime. Much of the typical data captured in a criminal justices system often has utility to multiple organizations. One of the essential contributions made by management information system encompasses areas of statistical data analysis models, graphical, and spatial forms of analysis (Siegel, 2010). The stated methodologies demand speed, access, and dimensionality of data, which cannot be facilitated by manual systems. Potential Reasons for Computerization One of the prominent reasons for the introduction of information technology in the administration of criminal justice system revolves around the ability of the system to enhance the quality and the timelines of information; this leads to enhanced decision making. Furthermore, higher quality information translates into better information for policy analysis, besides availing timely information. As a result, there is increased system efficiency of the criminal justice system. Manual systems hinder attainment of high quality, timely, and accurate information. Moreover, as the society and the nature of crime become increasingly complicated, the need for structured data heightens, which is critical to administration of criminal justice (Allen & Sawhney, 2010). Manual systems and rudimentary computer based systems often become overwhelmed by the heavy demand for information. Criminal Justice information systems are essential as they allow interested parties to investigate conclusively complex crimes found in the contemporary world, and remain within the limited criminal justice system resources. The principal assumption revolving on the need to have a criminal justice information system incorporates creating conditions for decision-making and a favorable environment for tackling and preventing crime. An effective crime prevention and criminal justice policy should respond to community expectations, human and financial resources, as well as operational potential of the system. The effective operation of any criminal justice system hinges on ready access to current, complete, and accurate information for all parties within the system (Welsh & Harris, 2012). A totally integrated criminal justice system should incorporate a network designed to avail every agency, right from police to courts, to the prison system, with information critical to decision- making. Categories of Criminal Justice System Archival information This refers to storage of information bearing historical significance and useful for later retrieval and analysis. Information systems include fingerprint databases to aid in the storage, retrieval, and matching of fingerprints and criminal incident databases to avail facilities for recording and pooling loosely structured information gathered amid the investigations. Information systems may also include criminal history records critical to recording of past criminal justice histories so as to avail up-to-date information when prosecuting and stolen motor vehicles registries, for storage, recovery, and matching of stolen vehicles. Tactical Information Tactical information in Criminal Justice organizations details relevant information generated from diverse sources, including archival systems, and analyzed to reinforce decision-making in various circumstances (Siegel, 2010). Some of the typical applications for tactical information include pre-trial detention decisions, investigations, and planning of police patrolling directed at assisting with the efficient utilization of law enforcement resources, and sentencing decisions to avail an automated aid to judges where sentencing guidelines are in operation. Some of the common technological strategies employed to enhance tactical communications include Gateway Interface, Trunked Radio Systems, and Incident Command System. Case Management This entails information designed to support the day to day operations within the criminal justice system such as criminal cases of prosecution and the courts. The various case management examples include case and defendant tracking, which may be employed to track the progress of cases and guarantee execution of desired actions taken at appropriate times. Other examples include producing of court documents and notices dwelling on generate summons, record sentences, or fines and court scheduling directed at assisting with the efficient utilization of resources relating to the court and parties connected to the court cases. Case management system feed information to criminal history systems (Siegel, 2010). Cumulative case flow information can be considered to be the lifeblood of statistical systems centering on planning and policy development. Strategic information in Criminal Justice organizations Strategic information in Criminal Justice organizations entails different types of information gathered and analyzed to detect trends and conditions within the criminal justice system. Tactical information can be utilized to maintain planning of law enforcement strategies, the evaluation of present programmes, and resource allotment by the prosecutor and courts. The above types of information should be weighed up when deciding how to utilize information technology in the criminal justice system. Tactical information is employed to make immediate decisions. The utilization of incomplete or inaccurate information may lead to poor decision making. Strategic information, on the other hand, is employed to make long-term or more concise decisions. The Limitations of Criminal Justice Management Technologies One of weaknesses of management information systems stems from the fact that the implementation of management information system is significantly expensive. The cost of reviewing of divisions and processes coupled with installation costs make implementation of management information systems a costly affair. Other expenses arise from employee hiring and training related to management information systems. Management information system flexibility Once criminal justice information system is created and installed, the system may turn out to be inflexible. A fast application of alterations to reflect fluctuating criminal justice operations may not be easy depending on the management information system style and functionality. Whereas operating procedures or internal controls may be undemanding to implement, the execution of structural changes within the criminal justice system may be difficult. Information Flaws The implementation of management information systems such as data base and geographic information systems is designed to provide information critical to the formulation of sound decisions. One of the most probable flaws accompanying management information system is pulling incorrect or inadequate information for the management system. This problem may lead to piling up additional costs and time wastage. Potentials of Criminal Justice Management Technologies Prosecution Computerization of criminal justice can herald an array of benefits. Computerization will enhance case output via the employment of computer based systems, which are fashioned to assist with the recording of case details and tracking of progress in individual cases, besides triggering reminders when actions fall due. In addition, computerization enables easier recording and pooling of information relating to cases. This in turn, allows better utilization of clerical and professional resources. Moreover, computerization enables speedy transfer of case details from law enforcement via the application of computer communications systems (Siegel, 2010). Other benefits arising from computerization include positive identification of prosecutions pending on individuals via access to the case registers of other prosecutors and courts. Computerization leads to enhanced rates of successful prosecution through improved analysis of case details, besides aiding in decision-making in the selection of charges owing to the provision of speedy access to statutes and case law. Computerization aids with decision-making, especially in the selection of charges enabled by the ability to apply computer systems in the examination of the effects of adoption of combination of charges and pleas (Allen & Sawhney, 2010). Computerization is essential in shaping flexible and swift access to summary statistics on case throughput and policy decisions. It also enables efficient utilization of professional resources via enhanced and expressed communication on court cases. Courts Computerization is essential to courts in allowing speedy reassignment of case details through an express interchange of computer based information. This result to an enhanced throughput in areas where computer based systems is employed in recording of case details and tracking of progress of cases. Computerization also enhances decision-making on individual cases owing to enhanced access to statute and case law as computerized formats are reliable and rapidly accessible. Courts featuring computerized systems witness low numbers of case dismissal on account of procedural errors in administration. This is manifested by enhanced sentencing decisions aided by accurate criminal history information and court-related information. Other benefits include better utilization of court resources enabled by a precise case scheduling (Welsh & Harris, 2012). Computerization also aids in attaining improved scheduling of adjournments through a centralized computer based court diary. Computerization aids in the collection of information on offence and sentencing patterns critical to the formulation of sentencing guidelines. Lastly, computerization enables easy and prompt execution of accounts related to payment of fines, fees, costs, and penalties, which leads to enhanced cash flow in fines. Correction Administration Computerization leads to enhanced operation of prison regimes through the availability of centrally-held inmate records and inmate accounts, among other aspects. Computerization enhances efficiency by lowering running costs and increasing productivity. This is evidenced by proficient utilization of computer based transportation planning systems. In addition, computerization enhances security via application of logging systems in prison establishments, as well as application of computer based recording systems critical to pooling and aggregation of inmate records held at diverse establishments. Other benefits encompass enhanced monitoring of the use of resources, statutory requirements, and regime management, as well as straightforward production of statistics for publication and policy formulation. Ethical & social impact of technology & information systems on Criminal Justice The advent of technology has heralded a host of legal and ethical considerations ranging from personal privacy, appropriate application of technology, protection of copyright and intellectual property, piracy, and hacking. The ethical impacts of computer crimes and technology include loss of productivity and costs arising from misuse of technological resources. The relative anonymity afforded by networked systems may lead to inappropriate behavior. The implementation of management systems should follow ethical standards in order to avoid violation of copyright laws. Other ethical issues in information technology revolve around privacy, especially within a work environment. Computer users should uphold privacy when it comes to safeguarding of passwords and confidential information so as to avoid unauthorized access (Siegel & Worrall, 2011). Organizations should also install programs meant to track websites perceived as illegal or containing obscene content. How Technology has Changed Crime and created New Types of Crimes Technologies facilitate and co-evolve with crime, policing, and security. Technological advancement leads to the emergence of fresh, adaptive, and ordinary crimes. Criminals, security, and policing agencies compete to gain a technology edge, which heightens the threat posed by crime to massive proportions (Kania & Davis, 2012) The recent technological developments have shaped a broad range of novel methods by which individuals employ to break the law. Technology plays a critical role in the commission of most of the existing forms of illegal conduct, as well as presenting fresh forms of illegality directed at technological products and services. Technology and Communications Advancement: Issues and Impacts on the Criminal Justice System The advancement of technology has enhanced interoperability, which infers the process of connecting diverse agencies or units so as to enable direct communication. Although computer systems are developed for diverse reasons, the benefits of computer systems fall into the three broad categorizations of cost savings, quality enhancements, and task enhancements (Stojkovic, Kalinich & Klofas, 2008). The benefits accorded by computerization are manifested by enhancement of productivity, minimization of errors of omission, and enhancement of quality of service. The communications revolution has allowed instant communication of information. Computer technology has facilitated the sharing of massive amounts of data for criminal justice systems, which forms the basis of crime analysis. Technological advancement has heralded both fresh challenges and opportunities for the criminal justice system, including fresh forms of criminal activity such as identity theft (Siegel & Worrall, 2011). New technologies have rendered investigations and prosecutions to be more proficient and successful. Some of the technological impacts on criminal justice system include onset of cybercrime and enhanced surveillance. Pros and cons of Criminal Justice Management Information System One of the benefits of management information system centre on better data sharing among diverse divisions within the state justice system inclusive of sharing of information relevant to criminal cases. Ultimately, this contributes to protection of the public, officer safety, better confirmation of the guilty and protection of the innocent, enhancement of the efficiency of the justice system and informed decision making (Welsh & Harris, 2012). One of the dominant challenges of information management systems revolves around making sure that the parties can access information at the opportune time in order to arrive at the right decisions. Other challenges of information management systems include refining technical support and the struggle of keeping up with fresh technologies and security systems (Siegel & Worrall, 2011). The downsides of typical information systems include the fact that data is captured in multiple times, which increases costs emanating from redundancy. In addition, the criminal justice system has the potential for inconsistency owing to generation of data at diverse times and measuring of the data using different approaches (Pattavina, 2005). Challenges Confronting adoption of Criminal Justice System An effective criminal justice system demands the adoption of an entirely fresh paradigm for information sharing. Other challenges include the highly fragmented and autonomous nature of criminal justice system, besides the inadequacy of the present information systems. The fragmentation is manifested by an assortment of systems, applications, databases, and communications schemes, as well as inconsistent policies and practices (Siegel & Worrall, 2011). Agencies are sometimes handicapped in sharing information owing to fragmentation, which has created organizational islands. Organizations are dominantly influenced by factors such as sub culture, budgets, and community priorities. Much of the criminal justice system is fragmented whereby the whole system poorly performs the function of information management. This arises from the fact that different agencies tend to enter information into the system separately, differently, and repeatedly. Case Example One of the prominent management information system in criminal justice encompasses National Consortium for Offender Management System, which offers end-users a menu comprising of information modules. The system avails a platform to end-users for selecting and implementing all/or part of the system based on their organizational and offender needs. Some of the modules detailed in the system include institutional services, work centre services, field and community services (parole and probation), offender management programming, parole commission, and offender banking (Welsh & Harris, 2012). The system represents a comprehensive, integrated, web-based system that captures full offender information, right from entry into the criminal justice system to release from parole or probation. One of the outstanding benefits of National Consortium for Offender Management System is that it aids states to create a common cost-effective standard, which is effective and efficient in sharing of criminal justice information. In addition, the system aids states to share operation costs via pooled purchasing. Conclusion The criminal justice system is always in need of a massive body of information relating to criminal events. Criminal justice management information systems avail a window from which to realize this end. The planning, monitoring, and evaluation of criminal justice system should rest on comprehensive, reliable, and timely information, which ought to be purposely generated, processed, analyzed, and utilized. Criminal justice system cannot be managed effectively devoid of knowledge and detailed monitoring of factors underpinning the development of crime and operations within the criminal justice agencies. Strategic planning, policy development, and evaluation within the criminal justice system and operation of the agencies demand a seamless integration of the criminal justice information systems. References Allen, J. & Sawhney, R. (2010). Administration and management in criminal justice: A service quality approach. London, UK: Sage. Kania, R. & Davis, R. (2012). Managing criminal justice organizations: An introduction to theory and practice. Waltham, MA: Anderson. Pattavina, A. (2005). Information technology and the criminal justice system. London, UK: Sage. Siegel, L. & Worrall, J. (2011). Essentials of criminal justice. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Siegel, L. (2010). Introduction to criminal justice. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Stojkovic, S., Kalinich, D. & Klofas, J. (2008). Criminal justice organizations: Administration and management. Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education. Welsh, W. & Harris, P. (2012). Criminal justice policy and planning. Waltham, MA: Anderson. Read More