NEWARK DELAWARE JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 49902
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 44 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 26,82
• Author(s): A W V KOCH
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 2 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM WHICH STEERS YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MINOR OFFENSES INTO COUNSELING, A GROUP HOME, OR A SUPERVISION PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED. FAMILY COURT HANDLES ONLY SERIOUS CASES AND REPEAT OFFENDERS.

Abstract

THE NEWARK, DELAWARE, PROGRAM BEGAN IN JUNE 1976. THE FIRST TASK WAS SETTING UP A SERIES OF CARD FILES TO IDENTIFY YOUTHS WHO HAD BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE POLICE AND THE NATURE OF THE CONTACT (MISDEMEANOR, FELONY, STATUS OFFENSE). PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY AGENCIES WERE CONTACTED TO PROVIDE COUNSELING, DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT, AND OTHER NEEDED SERVICES. INITIALLY THE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON THE JUVENILE CONTACT CARDS AND THE POLICE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE PROGRAM CONTACTED THE FAMILIES OF THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENDERS. NOW THE PROGRAM HANDLES SCHOOL REFERRALS, ARRESTING OFFICER REFERRALS, AND COMPLAINT REVIEW. THE COMPLAINT REVIEW IS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE ADDITION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ARREST THE DIVERSION PROGRAM OFFICER AND THE POLICE STAFF DETERMINES WHETHER THE YOUNG PERSON WOULD FIT PROGRAM CRITERIA (FIRST OFFENSE, NATURE OF VIOLATION). THE JUVENILE AND HIS FAMILY ARE ASKED TO COME TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR AN INTERVIEW. IF IT APPEARS THAT COOPERATION IS LIKELY, THE FAMILY IS ASKED TO COME FOR A SECOND INTERVIEW, AT WHICH TIME DISPOSITION IS MADE REGARDING THE JUVENILE'S NEEDS. DEPENDING ON THE IDENTIFIED NEED, THE JUVENILE MAY BE ASKED TO DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: REPORT ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS TO THE DIVERSION OFFICER; ATTEND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SESSIONS; ENTER A GROUP HOME; BE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; OR JOIN A LOCAL YOUTH GROUP, SUCH AS THE EXPLORER SCOUTS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO ENABLES CHILD NEGLECT AND ABUSE CASES TO BE IDENTIFIED AND DIVERTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. THE FIRST YEAR 70 JUVENILES WERE DIVERTED, MOST INTO COUNSELING; OF THESE, 8 HAVE BEEN REARRESTED, 5 ON FELONY CHARGES. POTENTIALLY USEFUL ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE BEING IDENTIFIED. THE PROGRAM IS VIEWED AS SUITABLE FOR ADOPTION BY OTHER POLICE AGENCIES. (GLR)