NCJ Number
88245
Date Published
1982
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Client's sex was the most important demographic variable predicting recidivism for clients in two diversion programs, administered by King County and Seattle, Wash., and funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention from 1979-81.
Abstract
Race and socioeconomic status did not have a statistically significant effect on recidivism. No one type of diversion assignment (i.e., community service or counseling) had a more beneficial effect on reducing recidivism than any other. There was no significant difference between the recidivism of clients assigned more community service and higher restitution than those assigned less. The length of time spent in diversion did not appear to improve the client's chance of completing diversion successfully. Project sites with caseloads having a higher percentage of prior referrals had higher recidivism rates. The paper concludes that diversion, per se, does not necessarily reduce recidivism, which is affected by other factors as well. Recommendations are included. Study data and offense classes are provided.