Often, the missions and objectives of SAC's across the United States differ from one another. SAC's are operated out of state justice agencies, universities, police departments, and other entities. These are several frequently asked questions that the MS-SAC recieves from students, faculty, and other agencies participating in the research conducted by the MS-SAC. Any additional questions can be submitted to the MS-SAC by email.

Q: What is a Statistical  Analysis Center and what does it do?

A: Generally, Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) are agencies of state government which use operational, management, and research information from all parts of the criminal justice system to conduct objective analyses of statewide and system wide policy issues.  Almost every state and territory in the United States now has a SAC.  Because SACs are operated by the state, their size and duties vary widely.  As a very small office, the Mississippi SAC does not have the resources to provide data on demand as many SACs do. We do strive, however, to maintain a solid knowledge base of what information is available from other sources, and offer assistance in the interpretation of such information.

 

Q: Does the presence of a SAC in Mississippi mean that statistical information will now be obtained from different sources than in the past?

A: Not at all.  Consumers of statistical information will obtain it from the same agencies that have always produced it.  We at the SAC are more concerned with the uses and implications of existing data and do not have the resources necessary to produce and warehouse new data.