Diversion Programs for Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse Offenders - The Clients, the Referral Decision, and the Resumption of Prosecution

• NCJ Number: 105762
• Author(s): L A Fridell
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 298 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: University of California (Irvine) - doctoral dissertation

Annotation

This study of two California diversion programs for incest offenders focuses on the referral screening process and the resumption of prosecution against those terminated from treatment.

Abstract

The referral screening process of the Sacramento County program was examined by comparing the defendant population deemed by the district attorney's office to be eligible for diversion with a random sample of 101 incest defendants who were prosecuted. The two groups were compared on factors related to formal screening criteria and offender and offense variables not encompassed by the formal diversion guidelines. Whether or not defendants acknowledged responsibility for the alleged offense was the variable that best discriminated between the groups. There was no evidence of racial bias in diversion selections. Overall, there was a strong association between the stated diversion referral guidelines and the actual referral criteria used by the district attorney's office. Seventeen clients were expelled from treatment for violations and referred back to the district attorney's office for prosecution. Convictions were obtained for all these defendants, and case outcomes were comparable to those processed without initial diversion referral. Descriptive information is provided on 62 client files of the Orange County diversion program for incest offenders. 121 tables, 84 references, and study instruments. (Author abstract modified)