NCJ Number
49865
Journal
Personnel and Guidance Journal Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: (OCTOBER 1974) Pages: 140-141
Date Published
1974
Length
2 pages
Annotation
FOLLOWING A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE RATIONALE BEHIND PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS SPONSORED BY THE MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING ACT AND THE NATIONAL PRETRIAL INTERVENTION SERVICE CENTER ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
PRETRIAL DIVERSION IS AS OLD AS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT 'STATIONHOUSE' DIVERSION BY LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IS SPORADIC AND UNSYSTEMATIC. A NUMBER OF JURISDICTIONS HAVE, THEREFORE, CREATED PROJECTS TO REMOVE SYSTEMATICALLY INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM ALTERNATIVE HANDLING FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING ACT, ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HAS PROVIDED FUNDS FOR TESTING A NUMBER OF 'POSTARREST/PRE-ARRAIGNMENT' TRAINING PROGRAMS. TWO ARE PROJECT CROSSROADS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND VERA INSTITUTE'S MANHATTAN COURT EMPLOYMENT PROJECT IN NEW YORK CITY. BOTH WERE ALTERNATIVES TO ADJUDICATION WITH SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION RESULTING IN DISMISSAL OF CHARGES. THE PROJECT CROSSROADS PROGRAM HAD A RECIDIVISM RATE OF 22 PERCENT WITH A COST OF ABOUT $6 A DAY, COMPARED TO A RECIDIVISM RATE OF 46 PERCENT IN A CONTROL GROUP. AT THAT TIME, PER CAPITA COST FOR INCARCERATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WAS $17 A DAY. THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S COMMISSION ON CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IN 1973 TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL PRETRIAL INTERVENTION SERVICE CENTER. THE CENTER'S ROLE AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. IN ADDITION TO POINTING OUT THE VALUE OF ALTERNATIVES, THE CENTER PROVIDES HELP WITH LEGAL ISSUES, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION NEEDS, AND INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES. REASONS WHY PRETRIAL DIVERSION IS A MUCH-NEEDED ADDITION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE GIVEN. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)