Judges like to have this kind of information before they sentence people, especially if they are going to place the person back into the community. The expansion of community correction programs is further increasing the need for PSIs. The Sentencing Commission has also suggested putting more resources into this PSIs. PSIs give judges more information about the people they are about to sentence. With the passage of the constitutional amendment on alternative sanctions, judges now have the legal authority to impose a much wider range of sentencing options.
PSIs allow judges to make better, more informed decisions in the use of correctional resources.
North Carolina lacks an integrated statewide magistrate information system. Currently, only six counties have either completed or initiated the establishment of magistrate information systems. Staff in the remaining counties either handwrite or type processes such as arrest warrants and orders for release. This is an inefficient and costly method and consequently produces duplication of work and wasted resources. Most detrimentally, it contributes to inaccurate, incomplete, and outdated criminal history records.