NCJ Number
65420
Date Published
1979
Length
56 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL PRESENTS GUIDELINES TO HELP CANADIAN COMMUNITIES DEVELOP JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION PROJECTS.
Abstract
THESE DIVERSION PROGRAMS USE ACTIVE PROJECTS TO PRODUCE TWO TYPES OF VOLUNTARY SETTLEMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VICTIM COMPENSATION. THE PROJECTS OFTEN PROVIDE REFERRAL SERVICES AS WELL. ISSUES IN PROJECT DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE WHETHER OFFENDERS OR OFFENSES SHOULD BE DIVERTED, HOW TO PROTECT THE ACCUSED'S RIGHTS, COERCIVE TREATMENT, AND WHICH STANDARDS TO FOLLOW. IN DEVELOPING A DIVERSION PROJECT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES AND ACTIVELY KEY OFFICIALS. A CONSTRUCTIVE RECONCILIATION PROCESS DEPENDS ON A PROJECT'S ABILITY TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION BY ALL MAJOR ACTORS, LEGITIMIZATION OF THE DIVERSION PROCESS ITSELF, AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PROJECT AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE PROJECT AND COMMUNITY. STEPS IN PROJECT DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEMS, EVALUATING THE NEED FOR A JUVENILE DIVERSION PROJECT, DEVELOPING A PROJECT MODEL, GETTING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON THE MODEL, FORMING A STEERING COMMITTEE, HOLDING A GENERAL MEETING, AND ELECTING A DIRECTING BODY. LOCAL INFORMATION AND CONSULTANT RESOURCES SHOULD BE USED. THE ISSUES OF STAFF REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING MUST BE ADDRESSED IN THE PLANNING STAGES. INFORMATION GATHERING AND PROJECT MONITORING MUST BE DIRECTLY TIED TO PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. INEFFECTIVE INFORMATION GATHERING AND MONITORING USUALLY RESULT FROM UNREALISTIC OR INCONSISTENT OBJECTIVES, MEASUREMENT PROBLEMS, OR GAPS BETWEEN STATED OBJECTIVES AND OPERATING OBJECTIVES. DATA SHOULD BE COLLECTED ON THE OFFENDER, VICTIM, MEDIATOR, OFFENSE, RESULTS, AND FOLLOWUP. A SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR A FUNDING PROPOSAL, AN INVENTORY OF EXISTING DIVERSION PROJECTS AND CONTACT PERSONS, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND A FORM ON WHICH TO EVALUATE THIS MANUAL, ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)