Criminal and Juvenile Justice

In an era of scarce government dollars, it is highly beneficial for states, counties, cities, towns and villages to examine whether there are cost-effective, appropriate alternatives to existing criminal and juvenile justice system practices and structures.

The most common reasons government leaders seek out our services are concerns about jail capacity and new construction costs; expenses for boarding out inmates; jail overtime; questions about the effectiveness of alternatives to incarceration (ATIs); the need for better outcome measures; system fragmentation and delays; and disproportionate unsentenced to sentenced inmate ratios.

Government leaders also want to assess the value of ATIs or specialty courts, especially drug courts; examine criminal (and often juvenile) justice system costs; and improve system-wide practices while reducing costs.

The project was highly successful and this was directly related to the fine work of CGR. Michael Krusen Deputy County Executive Cheming County

Last year alone CGR was involved in five major studies in the criminal and juvenile justice arena. The largest was an evaluation of criminal justice system practices in Chemung County in New York 's Southern Tier. The study led to recommendations that are estimated to be worth more than $1.3 million in savings annually to taxpayers. That study, and a companion study for the county's juvenile justice system, have already led to major changes in that county.

Other Studies in 2006

• Study of five Oneida County police departments and the potential for consolidating service
• Assessment of Steuben County ATI & criminal justice practices
• Funding of mental health services for juvenile justice system youth