NCJ Number
13626
Date Published
1974
Length
48 pages
Annotation
A DIVERSION PROGRAM THAT IS AIMED BOTH AT THE PREVENTION OF DELINQUENCY AND AT THE PREVENTION OF RECIDIVISM AMONG JUVENILES WHO HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED A DELINQUENT ACT.
Abstract
TO ACCOMPLISH THESE OVERALL GOALS, YOUTH SERVICES PROJECT (YSP) ATTEMPTS TO IDENTIFY AND SERVE PREDELINQUENT YOUTH AND TO DIVERT DELINQUENT YOUTH FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING APPREHENSION. YSP PROVIDES SHORT-TERM COUNSELING FOR YOUTHS IN THE PROGRAM AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND PROVIDES REFERRAL AND SERVICE BROKERAGE ASSISTANCE IN THOSE CASES WHERE CONTINUING SERVICE OR COUNSELING SEEMS DESIRABLE. THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF THE YSP IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT JUVENILE DELINQUENTS WILL BECOME ADULT FELONS, NEGATIVE LABELLING AND STIGMATIZATION RESULT FROM CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, ALIENATION OF YOUTH FROM STABLE SOCIAL FACTORS LEADS TO DELINQUENCY, AND LACK OF ACCESS TO SUCCESS VIA LEGITIMATE CHANNELS CONTRIBUTES TO DELINQUENCY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)