Measuring Degrees of Successful Implementation

The Oregon Community Corrections Act was passed in 1977, partly due to the need to relieve overcrowding in the state's prisons. Our research was undertaken to determine whether degrees of successful achievement of the goals of the Act are due to the way in which community corrections legislation is being implemented-and, specifically, to determine if the roles of street-level bureaucrats and modifications of the program during implementation are the keys to successful achievement of goals. In Oregon, we found that there is wide variation from county to county in the way the legislation is being imple mented and the degree to which goals are being achieved. Even though not all specific statutory goals are being achieved, the general policy goals are being met. The more successful counties have reached a higher level of implementation in individual and county efforts than the least successful counties. In addition, the former are more likely to have a "fixer" active in getting the program established and making it work, street-level imple mentors who often have a higher level of commitment to the program, modifications to meet local needs, and a higher degree of support from elected officials and the community.