Here are the five questions that your policy proposal MUST extensively and properly address: What problem is this policy trying to solve? What is causing the problem (that is, what is the theory that explains the cause corresponding solution? Define the target population of the policy. Which persons or groups are included and which are not? Identify the responsible authority. Who is required to carry out the policy, and what will their responsibilities be? Define the provisions and procedures of the policy. Provisions specify the sanctions or services that will be delivered, the conditions that must be met in order for the policy to be carried out, and the evaluation strategies that would be adopted to assess the development and implementation of the policy. Individuals responsible for implementing a specific set of rules must also clearly understand the specific sequence of actions to be taken (procedures) to ensure that the policy is carried out consistently. Remember NOT to structure your proposal according to the five questions above. These questions actually constitute a checklist through which to ensure completeness and consistency. Wayne N. Welsh and Philip W. Harris’s From Criminal Justice Policy and Planning that I attach to the end would provide you with a detailed clarification on these questions. Designing a Policy The policy proposal document should include an executive summary – a summary equal to about 10% of the total memo. Ideally, the summary should be 2 pages or less. An executive summary normally differs from an abstract in that an abstract is much shorter and is intended as a very brief overview. This executive summary is a condensed version of the full-length policy proposal, containing a succinct statement of the problem your proposed policy aims to deal with, background information, concise analysis, concluding remarks, and policy recommendations. See examples of executive summaries: ExecutiveSummaryExample-JudgingUseOfForce.pdfPreview the document ExecutiveSummaryExample-LGBTStudents.pdfPreview the document Include substantive headings to differentiate one section from another and guide the reader through the policy. See examples of policy proposals: PolicyExample-Incarceration.pdfPreview the document PolicyExample-PrisonToWork.pdfPreview the document Preventing Sex Trafficking Reducing Demand for Commercial Sex.pdf Specify Policy Provisions and Procedures In order for a set of principles or rules to be implemented well, individuals responsible for carrying them out must understand what is to be done (provisions) and the steps that must be taken (procedures) so that the policy is carried out consistently. In the case of a curfew for juveniles, the rule about “who gets what and in what order” is clear. In other cases, however, the policy statement must be more detailed. It is critical that provisions and procedures be developed and stated clearly in order to ensure consistency, fairness, and control of costs associated with the policy’s implementation. Typically the policy identifies: Provisions: What is to be done: the goods, services, opportunities, or interventions that will be delivered to members of the target population Procedures: The steps that need to be followed and the conditions that must be met to apply the policy (i.e., implementation and evaluation). For example, state Community Corrections Acts (CCAs) are policies that specify how community correctional programs should be developed to control the growth of prison populations. The provisions of state CCAs vary on at least four dimensions: The degree of decentralization of authority from state to local levels (e.g., administrative control granted to city/county networks v. state-run programs). The nature of citizen participation in the design, governance, and operation of community corrections programs (e.g., citizen advisory board, role in case screening). Relative emphasis on deinstitutionalization of offenders (e.g., the degree to which reductions in local or state prison populations are explicitly mandated; funding incentives or disincentives are tied to prison populations). The nature and scope of individualized sanctions and services to be offered (e.g., relative emphasis on rehabilitation, reintegration, restitution, restoration, or control). We see that provisions may overlap to some degree with decision authority and target identification. The decision authority who chooses to keep some prison-bound offenders in the community may be bound by strict eligibility criteria that include the type of crime the offender committed, their prior court history, and their family or employment situations. In another setting the policy may specify a requirement (provision) that a certain proportion of prison-bound offenders must stay in the community. How these offenders are selected may or may not be left to the discretion of decisionmakers. When specifying the provisions of a policy, it is also important to specify the specific steps or procedures to be followed. For example, Emergency Release Acts are controversial policy options that require a local or state correctional agency to release certain prisoners in order to bring the population down to an acceptable level.10 Obviously, such a policy is not popular with everyone. Letting prisoners out before their sentence is completed may be regarded as cheating. After all, the judge handed down a sentence that seemed fair. The fact that the prison is crowded doesn’t change the appropriateness of the sentence. The fact is, however, that criminal justice agencies are not given infinite resources. They must do the best that they can with limited resources. In designing an Emergency Release policy, then, it is important to state clearly the sequence of actions (procedures) that must be taken when the prison population reaches a specified level: Prison populations are to be monitored daily. Projections are made about immediate crowding problems. Responsible persons are designated to make release decisions. The governor’s office must be consulted in specific cases. Persons with specific authority must sign orders. Arrangements must be made for those inmates about to be released. Notification to other agencies (e.g., law enforcement) may be required. These steps are especially important when the rights of individuals are affected, eligibility might be challenged, resources are limited, and public objections are likely. Clear procedures help to ensure consistency and fairness in the application of a policy. As you write your policy, remember to include: An executive summary – a one or two page summary of the main points, using bullet points (or similar) to emphasize the take home message and evidence to support it. The problem this policy is trying to solve The cause of the problem The target population of the policy The responsible authority to carry out the policy (this should be the audience for the proposal, so speak to this authority) The provisions and procedures of the policy The following content is partner provided