THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R AND D) UNIT IS A MULTIFUNCTION ORGANIZATION. IT REPRESENTS THE DEPARTMENT AND MAINTAINS CONTINUING LIAISION WITH THE COURTS, THE GOVERNOR'S JUSTICE COMMISSION, LEAA FUNDED PROJECTS SPECIFICALLY, AND OTHER RELATED BODIES OF THE LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE NETWORK. IN RELATION TO LEAA IT ASSISTS DEPARTMENTAL STAFF IN PREPARING GRANT PROPOSALS, PROVIDES SERVICES TO LEAA OUTSIDE EVALUATORS, AND MAINTAINS AN ONGOING OVERVIEW OF SUCH PROJECTS AROUND FISCAL AND TECHNICAL MATTERS. IN ADDITION THE UNIT PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER SUPPORT TO THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER AND TO VARIOUS OF HIS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF BOTH IN RELATION TO INTERNAL MATTERS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS. R AND D MAINTAINS AND UPDATES AN INFORMATION BASE CONSISTING OF BOTH COMPUTER AND MANUAL DATA OPERATIONS. IT PROVIDES REGULAR REPORTS ON THE DATA BASE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. R AND D ALSO ENGAGES IN RESEARCH AND PLANNING ACTIVITIES, SOMETIMES IN RELATION TO LEAA GRANTS AND ALSO AROUND OTHER PROJECTS. IN GENERAL, GOOD PROGRESS WAS NOTED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REFUNDING EVALUATION RECOMMENDATIONS. SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WAS ALSO NOTED IN THE PRODUCTION OF A POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, THE WRITING OF A JUDGES MANUAL, AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN INFORMATION BASE. ACHIEVEMENTS IN OTHER AREAS ARE EXAMINED AS WELL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)