NCJ Number
69514
Date Published
1977
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT EVALUATES THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE THREE COMPONENTS (SERVICE PROVIDER, REFERRING AGENCIES, AND ADMINISTRATION) OF THE POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUTH (PAY) DIVERSION PROJECT DURING 1976.
Abstract
INITIATED BY THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO SERVE A POPULATION OF 160,508 IN THE AREAS OF COMMERCE, MONTEBELLO, AND EAST LOS ANGELES, CALIF., PAY IS AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE HANDLING OF YOUTH OFFENDERS. IT IDENTIFIES COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, SCHOOLS, OR OTHER AGENCIES MAY REFER JUVENILES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES. THE ADMINISTRATION CONSISTS OF A BOARD OF DIRECTORS, A POLICY BOARD AND AN ADVISORY COUNCIL. BY THE END OF NOVEMBER, PAY HAD SERVED 334 JUVENILES (60 PERCENT OF THE FIRST YEAR GOAL). PROBLEMS AROSE IN SETTING UP THE PROGRAM BUT DURING THE LAST HALF OF THE YEAR, PAY SEEMED TO BEGIN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; AND EVIDENCE POINTS TO A BELIEF THAT IT CAN BE A VIABLE AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE IN ITS SECOND YEAR. SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE A REDUCTION OF TIME LAG BETWEEN REFERRAL AND PROVISION OF SERVICES FROM 12.3 DAYS TO 6.7 DAYS AND AN INCREASE IN REFERRALS BY POLICE DURING THE LAST 3 MONTH PERIOD OF THE REPORT DUE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SCREENING PROCEDURE. HOWEVER, POSITIVE CASE TERMINATIONS OCCURRED IN ONLY 34.6 PERCENT OF THE CASES AND AN ESTIMATE OF THE RECIDIVISM RATE IS 44.3 PERCENT. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE STIMULATING THE NUMBER OF DIVERSIONS RECEIVED BY THE PROJECT; INVESTIGATING FLEXIBILITY OF FUNDING; DEVELOPING A BROADER, MORE EFFECTIVE NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS; AND FACILITATING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ALL THE AGENCIES AND STAFF INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT. TABLES ARE INCLUDED THROUGHOUT. FOR RELATED INFORMATION, SEE NCJ 69378.