Diversion in the Netherlands: Bureau Halt (From The Future of the Juvenile Justice System, P 323-331, 1991, Josine Junger-Tas and Leonieke Boendermaker, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-133019)

• NCJ Number: 133042
• Author(s): A van Hees
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: ACCO Tiensestraat 134-136
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: Belgium
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. A paper from an international conference on the future of the juvenile justice system, May 29-31, 1989, in Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands.

Annotation

This paper describes The Netherlands' Bureau Halt, a diversion program for juveniles who have committed vandalism.

Abstract

Youth arrested by the police for vandalism are referred to Bureau Halt which offers an alternative to formal processing of the case and arranges restitution for injured parties. If they choose the Halt approach, the youth themselves must develop a proposal for alternative "punishment" which must have the consent of the youth's parents and the injured parties. Approved plans are organized and monitored by Halt. If the youth refuses to participate in Halt or fails in the program, an official report is sent to the public prosecutor, who may decide to pursue formal processing of the case. The Halt program provides an immediate response to the offense and involves only a minimum of administrative work by police or judicial authorities. Labeling effects are also avoided. Eighty-five percent of the young persons referred to Halt agree to the procedure. Once agreements on work and/or payment have been negotiated, most clients fulfill the agreement (93-98 percent). Most of the victims cooperate with the program. 15 references and 1 table