NCJ Number
45782
Date Published
1977
Length
79 pages
Annotation
THIS IS THE FIRST AND FINAL REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF AN EFFORT TO DIVERT DELINQUENT YOUTH AGES 5 TO 17 FROM FURTHER INVOLVEMENT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE DIVERSION/INTERVENTION PROJECT WAS AIMED AT DELINQUENT YOUTH WHO WERE BEYOND PARENTAL CONTROL, RUNAWAYS, TRUANTS, OR ALLEGED PARTICIPANTS IN SERIOUS JUVENILE ACTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE VALIDITY OF THE DIVERSION CONCEPT'S SYSTEMATIC INTERVENTION WITHIN THE JUVENILE COURT AND COMMUNITY AGENCY PROCESS BY SHOWING THAT YOUNG DELINQUENTS COULD BE MOVED AWAY FROM THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF JUVENILE JUSTICE; THAT DETENTION COULD BE AVOIDED IN MOST OFFENSE SITUATIONS BY MEANS OF FAMILY OR CASEWORK COUNSELING AND ALTERNATIVE VOLUNTARY PLACEMENTS; AND THAT DIVERSION COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY CAUSING EXISTING RESOURCES TO RESPOND RAPIDLY. THE INTENT OF THE PROJECT IS TO KEEP PROBLEM YOUTH OUT OF JUVENILE HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS AND TO KEEP THE FAMILY-CENTERED PROBLEM OUT OF THE PURVIEW OF THE COURTS WHILE COUNSELING EFFORTS WORK TOWARD A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION. A DETAILED OUTLINE OF THE METHODOLOGY OF THIS APPROACH IS PROVIDED. A SELECTION OF CHARTS AND STATISTICAL DATA CONCERNING SPECIFIC PROJECT GOALS, RECIDIVISM, EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS IS INCLUDED. (KBL)