CHIEF JUSTICE BURGER HAS OUTLINED THE FOLLOWING NEEDS IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS: INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIVING CONDITIONS; CAREFULLY SELECTED AND PROPERLY TRAINED PERSONNEL; IMPROVED CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES TO INSURE THE SEPARATION OF INCORRIGIBLES FROM OTHERS; A BALANCED PROGRAM OF PRODUCTIVE WORK, EDUCATION, AND RECREATION; COMMUNICATION WITH INMATES; AND A JUSTICE SYSTEM IN WHICH JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND DEFENSE COUNSEL RECOGNIZE THAT PROMPT CASE DISPOSITION IS IMPERATIVE. CREATED IN 1971, THE POLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES IS DESIGNED TO SERVE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE COORDINATION, INTEGRATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS TO PROVIDE VIABLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES. FOUR FUNCTIONAL UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT, CONSTITUTING A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM, INCLUDE PRETRIAL RELEASE, COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, PRESENTENCE AND PROBATION, AND THE FORT DES MOINES CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. DEPARTMENT STAFF ARE COMPRISED OF NONPROFESSIONALS, PARAPROFESSIONALS, PROFESSIONALS, EX-CONVICTS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH CONSIDERABLE 'STREET' KNOWLEDGE. THE PURPOSE OF THE PRETRIAL RELEASE UNIT IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER INDIVIDUALS, IF RELEASED WITHOUT MONEY BAIL, WILL APPEAR AT TRIAL. THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS UNIT PROVIDES RELEASE WITH SUPERVISION AND TREATMENT. WHILE THE PRETRIAL RELEASE UNIT MAKES ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT BASED ON OBJECTIVE FINDINGS, THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS UNIT MAKES ITS RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON SUBJECTIVE STANDARDS. THE PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION UNIT PROVIDES A COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE TO THE COURT THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC INVESTIGATION OF THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF DEFENDANTS AND CONDITIONS OUTSIDE OF SUPERVISION. IN THE PROBATION UNIT, OFFICERS HAVE AN AVERAGE CASELOAD OF 70 TO 80 PROBATIONERS AND ARE CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH EMPLOYING OR ENROLLING THEIR CLIENTS IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO KEEP THEM AWAY FROM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. THE FORT DES MOINES CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IS A PILOT PROGRAM OFFERING A RESIDENTIAL ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL MAXIMUM SECURITY COUNTY JAILS. A TEAM APPROACH TO TREATMENT IS EMPHASIZED BY THE FACILITY. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT DEMONSTRATES THAT FLEXIBILITY IS NECESSARY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS TO MEET SPECIFIC COMMUNITY NEEDS. (DEP)