By By Kelly Quackenbush/The Meridian Star
April 10, 2001
HATTIESBURG The University of Southern Mississippi is developing the state's first criminal justice statistical analysis center.
The center will function within the university's Department of Criminal Justice.
When completed, the center will become a part of a national network of centers that collect, analyze and distribute criminal justice statistics.
The USM center will gather data on crime and justice in the state and report statistics on crime, criminal offenders and the justice system to federal, state and local levels of government for use in developing programs and policies related to crime, illegal drugs, services to victims and the administration of justice.
Mallory said USM criminal justice students will benefit from involvement in the center's research operations.
Statistical information is used for policy analysis and for planning and conducting justice system operations.
Kelly Quackenbush is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at kquackenbush@themeridianstar.com.