Most people respond to standards and incentives. Incentives are routinely used to encourage desirable behavior. Standards with incentives work in many organizations including business and universities. Because they expect later compensation in money and prestige, ambitious college students strive for academic performance. Students hope to be recruited by a major corporation or for admission to a top graduate or professional school.

The Speaker and Senate Pro Tempore created the Criminal Justice Reform Group to develop a balanced and comprehensive approach to the criminal justice crisis.

Components of Plan

The working group was asked to develop the specifics of a plan that could be supported by the House, Senate, and ultimately, the Governor. Certain parameters were established and specific components had to be addressed:

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Prison Population Trends

1. DOC Inmate Population Projections through FY'09

Crimes and Convictions

2. Index Crime Rate Trend

Reforms enacted in recent years have centered on:

• Reducing health care costs through managed care.
   
• Requiring workplace safety programs.
   
• Creating a more politically independent judiciary.
   
• Strengthening fraud investigation and prosecution.
   
• Increasing the use of independent medical examiners.
   
• Making benefit payments more fair.

Legislative reforms have played a significant role in:

Background

The information in this report first appeared as a Public Affairs Research Council Inc. (PAR) publication.* PAR is a nationally recognized, private, non-partisan, non-profit research group specializing in state and local finance and economic development policy. PAR is funded by a variety of business groups including members from banking, finance and investment, energy companies, manufacturing firms and service enterprises.

Summary of Key Points