NCJ Number
41678
Date Published
1976
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THIS PIERCE COUNTY (WA) PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR FIRST-TIME ADULT OFFENDERS INTERVENES INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS PRIOR TO THE FILING OF CHARGES THROUGH REFERRAL FROM THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
Abstract
FOR AN ELIGIBLE CLIENT, FILING OF CHARGES IS DEFERRED FOR UP TO ONE YEAR WHILE THE CLIENT ENTERS AN INTENSIVE REHABILITATIVE PROGRAM SUPERVISED BY THE EL CID STAFF. DURING THE DIVERSION PERIOD, EL CID PROVIDES THE CLIENT WITH PERSONAL COUNSELING, JOB PLACEMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES. THIS ANNUAL REPORT DOCUMENTS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAM DURING 1976, ITS SECOND YEAR OF OPERATION, AND ASSESSES THE EXTENT TO WHICH PROJECT EL CID HAS MET ITS STATED GOALS IN THE AREAS OF SERVICES TO CLIENTS, COST-BENEFIT TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND REDUCTION IN RECIDIVISM. TABULAR AND NARRATIVE DATA ARE PRESENTED ON PROGRAM INTAKE, SERVICES, TERMINATIONS, AND CLIENT FOLLOW-UP AND RECIDIVISM. AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF THE PIERCE COUNTY AND CITY OF TACOMA COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACT (CETA) PROGRAMS, PROJECT EL CID ASSISTED NEARLY 100 YOUNG FIRST-OFFENDERS TO ENTER THE LABOR FORCE IN 1976. IN DOING SO, IT REDUCED UNEMPLOYMENT BY OVER 26 PERCENT AMONG ITS CLIENTS. OVER 85 PERCENT OF EL CID CLIENTS COMPLETED THE PROGRAM WITHOUT COMMITTING FURTHER CRIMES AND LESS THAN 13 PERCENT COMMITTED CRIMES AFTER TERMINATION FROM THE PROGRAM. BY AVOIDING THE COSTS OF TRIAL AND PRISON, EL CID SAVED AN AVERAGE OF $55 PER MISDEMEANOR AND $650 PER FELONY IN 1976, FOR A TOTAL SAVINGS OF OVER $83,000, AND COLLECTED NEARLY $5,300 IN RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIMS OF CRIME. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)