SANTA CLARA COUNTY PRE-DELINQUENT DIVERSION PROJECT - 1ST YEAR EVALUATION, JULY 1, 1972 - JUNE 30, 1973

• NCJ Number: 16330
• Author(s): J BERKOWITZ; R NIELSEN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 240 pages
• Grant Number(s): 0998-E
• Contract Number(s): E-7-71
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American Justice Institute
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO DETERMINE THE ALTERNATIVES TO OFFICIAL REFERRAL TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

Abstract

THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY PRE-DELINQUENT DIVERSION PROGRAM IS AN ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP AND COORDINATE COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE CONCEPT OF DIVERSION IS IMPLEMENTED AT THE POLICE LEVEL BY TWELVE LAW ENFORCEMENT JURISDICTIONS, EACH OF WHICH HAS SHAPED A DISTINCTIVE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM IN CONSONANCE WITH THE NATURE OF BOTH THEIR POLICE FORCE AND COMMUNITY. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM WERE TO REDUCE WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 601 REFERRALS TO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT BY 66 PERCENT DURING FISCAL YEAR 1972-73, AND TO CREATE EXPANDED AND IMPROVED SERVICES APPROPRIATE TO THE NEEDS OF THOSE JUVENILES DIVERTED WITHIN THE TWELVE PARTICIPATING LAW ENFORCEMENT JURISDICTIONS. A THIRD OBJECTIVE WAS TO DEMONSTRATE, TEST, AND EVALUATE THE PRE-DELINQUENT DIVERSION PROGRAM MODEL. PART ONE OF THIS DOCUMENT COVERS THE PROGRAM CONCEPT, ADMINISTRATION, TRAINING, AND CONSULTANT REPORTS. TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE ORGANIZATION, STAFF SELECTION, STAFF BACKGROUND, FINANCIAL PLAN, FISCAL OPERATION, AND RESEARCH CONTRACT. COMMENTS ARE MADE ON THE TRAINING WHICH WAS PRESENTED IN THREE SECTIONS - COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES ORIENTATION, FAMILY SYSTEMS TRAINING, AND LIMITED BRIEF THERAPY (ANALYZING FAMILY CONFLICTS AND WORKING TOWARD PROBLEM RESOLUTION). PART TWO OF THIS DOCUMENT IS DEVOTED TO RESEARCH AND EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT. CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION IS DEVOTED TO THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY COVERING OBJECTIVES, RESEARCH DESIGN, SUBJECTS, AND METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION. PROGRAM RESULTS COVER CHARACTERISTICS ON PROGRAM YOUTH, FLOW OF PRE-DELINQUENTS INTO THE PROGRAM, JURISDICTIONAL DIFFERENCES IN PROGRAM PARTICIPATION, RECIDIVISM OF PROGRAM YOUTH, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY TREATMENT OF PRE-DELINQUENTS. A DISCUSSION OF RESULTS COMMENTS ON COST BENEFITS AND INTERPRETATION OF PROGRAM SUCCESS. SEE NCJ-016329 FOR SECOND YEAR EVALUATION.