The Cutback Management in Criminal Justice policy seminar series was developed by the National Institute of Justice of the US Department of Justice to help criminal justice policymakers and executives improve the management and administration of local criminal justice services during periods of fiscal stress. The seminar curriculum is divided into several sections, including: (1) a detailed analysis of the meaning and impact of fiscal stress, i.e., the gap between supply of available revenues and demand for services, on the financing and management of government agencies; (2) examination of the concept and methodology of cutback management; and (3) opportunity for participants to apply the lessons, results, and insights of previous sections and sessions. The seminar curriculum is delivered in lecture presentations delivered in plenary sessions that are usually followed by small group tasks, a combination of delivery methods which is intended to facilitate team building. This Manual of Readings is a supplemental text for seminar participants, and consists of two sections: (1) reprints of selected studies and articles about fiscal stress and cutback management, and (2) original articles, previously unpublished, that focus exclusively on the question: Given fiscal stress, what practical ideas or validated programs can criminal justice agency executives use to improve productivity and efficiency? References, tables, notes, figures, charts, appendixes