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Juvenile Diversion - An Experimental Analysis of Effectiveness

NCJ Number
89431
Journal
Evaluation Review Volume: 6 Issue: 6 Dated: (December 1982) Pages: 753-774
Author(s)
L J Severy; J M Whitaker
Date Published
1982
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper questions the desirability of combining tests of theory with evaluations of treatment modalities in the context of an investigation of the effectiveness of a juvenile diversion program.
Abstract
More than 2,000 Memphis-area youth in Tennessee participated in a true experimental design (with randomization). Youth were assigned to 'penetrate' the traditional system, to 'services,' or to a control group 'without services.' Recidivism analyses dependent on court record data consistently failed to demonstrate the relative superiority of any of the three treatment approaches to outcome measures of dichotomous recidivism status, total number of recidivating offenses, and days of successfully avoiding rearrest. Study data and 33 references are included. (Author abstract modified)