NCJ Number
16704
Date Published
1973
Length
127 pages
Annotation
FIVE SEPARATE EVALUATION PERSPECTIVES OF THIS YOUTH DIVERSION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT WHICH USES A TREATMENT PROCESS OF FAMILY, INDIVIDUAL, AND PEER COUNSELING.
Abstract
THIS REPORT PRESENTS CASE RECORD FINDINGS AND DESCRIBES THE TREATMENT MODALITIES EMPLOYED BY THE ALTERNATE ROUTES STAFF. PARENT-YOUTH ASSESSMENTS OF THE PROJECT AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS SERVICES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. A COST COMPARISON STUDY OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS WITH THAT OF THE MORE TRADITIONAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CARRIED OUT. FINDINGS ARE DOCUMENTED BASED UPON PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS. THE STUDY POINTS OUT THAT NOT ONLY HAVE THE GOALS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BUT THAT THE PROJECT HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED IN THE CITIES OF PLACENTA AND FOUNTAIN VALLEY. GENERALLY, YOUTH AND PARENTS LIKE THE PROGRAM AND AGREE IT IS HELPING YOUTH. POLICE AND SCHOOLS STATE THE PROJECT IS ENABLING THEM TO DIVERT YOUTH FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. AN ANALYSIS OF CASE RECORDS SUGGEST THE TREATMENT PROCESS IS A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE MEANS TO REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL DYSFUNCTION. IT ALSO POINTS OUT THE METHODS OF TREATMENT EMPLOYED IN PROVIDING THIS TREATMENT FROM COUNSELOR TO YOUTH AND FAMILY. FINALLY, THE STUDY REVEALS THAT ALTERNATE ROUTES HAVE REDUCED TIME REQUIRED OF THE TRADITIONAL JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE TREATMENT FOLLOWING ARREST TO AN AVERAGE OF 27 DAYS. AN ANALYSIS OF THE COSTS PER ARREST CASE SUGGESTS THE ALTERNATE ROUTES PROJECT HOLDS CONSIDERABLE COST REDUCTION POTENTIAL FOR THE ENTIRE ORANGE COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)