Evaluation of the Second Year of State-Funded Juvenile Diversion in Washington State

• NCJ Number: 88216
• Author(s): D R Guthmann; J C Steiger
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 32 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Washington State
• Corporate Author: Washington State
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report assesses State-funded diversion programs operating under Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services Region 3 during 1980 and compares 1980 State-funded diversion to 1979 diversion and to the 1980 county-funded unit in Snohomish County.

Abstract

The findings noted an increase in the likelihood of being assigned some sanctions (e.g., community service, restitution, or counseling) in 1980 as compared to 1979. There was a decrease in recidivism when comparing 1979 and 1980 diversion. Counsel and release was more often used as a disposition option in 1980. The comparison of State and locally funded programs in 1980 showed that costs of the State-funded units were greater than those of the Snohomish County unit, although their programming did not differ substantially. Based on evidence that the less serious and less expensive sanctions, such as counsel and release, are equally effective, it is recommended that the use of this option should be expanded for less serious offenders. Additional general findings were that in 1980 State-funded diversion program youths were more likely to receive sanctions than was the case prior to the implementation of diversion and that offenders who penetrated most deeply into the system were most likely to recidivate. Tabular data and maps are provided.