Community corrections diversion in Colorado

Rates of commitment in Colorado counties were examined over time, and a cross-sectional sample of convicted adult offenders was analyzed to determine if offenders are being diverted from incarceration in the State of Colorado. Results vary by county as to whether actual diversion or widening of the net occurs. The end result of the placement process, however, appears to be that diversion from incarceration is taking place for most offenders sentenced into community corrections.     

Coping with complexity: An experimental study of public policy decision-making

Empirical studies of decision-making invariably conclude with profound skepticism about the human capacity to process complex problems. The skepticism bodes ill for public policy makers, for they confront decisions of formidable complexity. This research examines the impact of systematic variation in the complexity of public policy decisions on the quality of decisions made by experienced public and private sector managers. Results show that increases in complexity do affect decision-making, but in positive as well as negative ways.     

A conceptual framework for studying complex decision processes

Decision making stituations, particularly those involving societal issues, can pose very complex problems for practitioners and investigators from a broad spectrum of disciplines. In this paper, we present theoretical constructs and an organized general framework for studying such complex decision processes. The postulated facets are used in the construction of several hypotheses. Empirical evidence is presented which supports the hypotheses and argues for the viability of the proposed conceptual framework.Supported in part by OWRT Grant No. 8933-55-13645.