NCJ Number
83053
Journal
Law and Society Review Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (1981-1982) Pages: 241-264
Date Published
1982
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Diversion has emerged as one of the most popular reform tactics in the juvenile justice system. An analysis of a two-year diversion program for status offenders revealed significant conceptual and operational ambiguity.
Abstract
The notion of a progression of a delinquent career from status to criminal offenses was not supported. The utilization of community-based programs in place of the juvenile court resulted in agency competition for clients and lengthy treatment programs for status offenders. Finally, the impact of specialized treatment for status offenders on behavioral and attitudinal measures was not significant. It was concluded that diversion programs developed exclusively for status offenders may be predicated on faulty assumptions. (Publisher abstract)