We’re working to fix the system

In a way, USA TODAY’s recent series on fugitives and extradition isn’t entirely surprising. The criminal justice system, especially in large urban areas, is always struggling to keep up with criminals.

So it’s not entirely surprising that, after reviewing thousands of cases, the series was able to highlight a handful where the extradition process looks as if it should have been invoked and wasn’t. As the article’s reporter acknowledged to us, he focused on Philadelphia not because our track record is worse, but because our court files are more accessible, and because my office was more willing to talk to him.

That’s because it’s always important to try to evaluate what we’re doing — and sometimes the news media can be a big help. Several years ago, The Philadelphia Inquirer took a close look at the performance of local criminal justice agencies. In a landmark series, the Inquirer’s investigation exposed significant dysfunction.

As the newly elected district attorney of Philadelphia, I pledged to help improve the system. We reorganized our office and, working with the courts, began new programs that expedite cases, punish noshow defendants, and protect the time and safety of witnesses.

We have now undertaken a similar evaluation process regarding out-of-state extraditions. We are establishing a new protocol for listing defendants in the National Crime Information Center database.

For certain serious crimes, we will routinely request nationwide extradition. For others, we may request extradition in a more limited geographic area. And in the least serious cases, we may decide not to extradite — because we still have to make sometimes tough calls, without a crystal ball, about allocating scarce resources.

We have also been in touch with legislative leadership about securing additional aid; more extraditions will cost more money. And we will bring back a proposal I made in the past to form an inter-agency fugitive task force that would search out our most dangerous fleeing felons.

Obviously, we don’t agree with every aspect of the USA TODAY series. But the articles raise important concerns and should focus public attention. We can use the help.