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Evaluation of the Impact of a Policy Change on Diversion Program Recidivism

NCJ Number
212985
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: 2005 Pages: 29-61
Author(s)
Richard Dembo; Jennifer Wareham; James Schmeidler
Date Published
2005
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This evaluation compared juvenile offender recidivism rates across five juvenile diversion programs in Florida.
Abstract
Results revealed no differences in in-program recidivism across the five diversion programs. However, stepwide multiple regression analyses indicated that recidivism rates at 6 months following program completion were significantly lower for Juvenile Alternative Service Program (JASP) participants. The findings suggest a possible net-widening effect for the diversion programs that allow penetration into the juvenile justice system. The evaluation came about as a result of Florida legislature budget cuts that eliminated the community services Juvenile Alternative Service Program (JASP) in 2000 and replaced it with juvenile justice based diversion programs such as the Walker Plan and expanded arbitration programs that allow greater penetration into the juvenile justice system. This allowed for a comparison of participant in-program recidivism and post-completion recidivism rates based on program placement. Data were drawn from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and included arrest history, current charges, and information on program participation and compliance. Participants were selected from December 1999 through May 2000 as they entered 1 of the 5 diversion programs: JASP (n=180), expanded arbitration (n=46), IDDS (n=105), Prodigy (n=74), and the Walker Plan (n=179). Future evaluations should extend the follow-up period for assessing juvenile recidivism rates across the five diversion programs. Tables, figures, references, notes