Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Evaluation of JABS: Joint Automated Booking System Program

• NCJ Number: 167884
• Date Published: January 1996
• Length: 119 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This evaluation of the Joint Automated Booking System Program (JABS) measured and analyzed quantitative and qualitative improvements in booking offenders into the Federal criminal justice system using the JABS.

Abstract

Using recognized standards by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for fingerprints and draft guidelines for mugshots, JABS provides a baseline capability that could be integrated into current and future agency technology-based systems. JABS complements and supports Department of Justice national law enforcement initiatives. Interviews with practitioners showed both enthusiasm and excitement about the capabilities and features provided by JABS. Statistical data on data entry and initial JABS operations supports these perceptions. Practitioners have high expectations that JABS data collection and data exchange functionality can be expanded or incorporated into current and future national law enforcement systems. JABS is now viewed by practitioners as more than a mere booking device to produce digital photographs and fingerprints. It is viewed as a tool to reduce administrative tasks by capturing data once and then allowing all authorized users to access this data. JABS is also seen as a medium to increase and expand intra- and interagency exchange of data. In short, practitioners view JABS as a labor-saving, law enforcement tool to help in daily performance of their duties. JABS is also a catalyst to eliminate or reduce duplicate forms and processes. Interagency exchange of data and re-engineering booking processes to streamline procedures are important, as well as the capability to integrate JABS data into current or future agency system initiatives. Extensive figures and tables and appended terms and definitions, data sources, productivity questionnaire, and statistical analysis of questionnaire data