NCJ Number
16691
Date Published
1974
Length
31 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN MONTHS OF OPERATIONS OF A PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROJECT FOR FIRST-TIME NONVIOLENT FELONY OR GROSS MISDEMEANOR OFFENDERS, INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS OF PROJECT GOALS, STAFF, STRUCTURE, AND COST.
Abstract
THE FIVE GOALS LISTED FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN RECIDIVISM, A REDUCTION IN WORKLOAD FOR THE JUDGE, STATE ATTORNEY, AND STATE ADULT PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICER, A REDUCTION IN PROCESSING COSTS AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME OFFENDERS SPEND IN JAIL, AND AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF RURAL PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION PROJECTS. PROJECT STAFF AND THEIR DUTIES ARE DESCRIBED. CLIENTS ARE REFERRED TO THIS PROJECT BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR DEFENSE LAWYERS. ONCE ACCEPTED IN THE PROGRAM, A PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT CONTRACT IS SIGNED WHICH REQUIRES THAT THE OFFENDER COMMIT HIMSELF TO A COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PROGRAM OF 'REPARATION' FOR THE OFFENSE COMMITTED. COMMUNITY SERVICES UTILIZED TO DATE ARE LISTED. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE BASIC METHOD OF OPERATION OF THIS PROJECT IS DIRECTED TOWARD SUPERVISION RATHER THAN TOWARD ANY PARTICULARLY INTENSE HELPING SERVICES. THE EVALUATION OF EFFORT SHOWED A SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF WORK AND INVOLVEMENT. HOWEVER, IT WAS FOUND THAT IN 15 MONTHS OF OPERATION, ONLY 23 CLIENTS HAD BEEN SERVED. AN IMPACT EVALUATION WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE NO LONG-TERM DATA WAS AVAILABLE. THE COST ANALYSIS SHOWED A MUCH HIGHER DAILY COST PERCLIENT FOR THIS PROGRAM THAN FOR REGULAR PROBATION PROGRAMS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) OTTER TAIL COUNTY, FERGUS FALLS