NCJ Number
93966
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Analysis of diversions to San Diego's Inebriate Reception Center (IRC) by police patrol divisions during June 1982 confirmed previous studies by showing that almost all persons diverted to the IRC were diverted only once.
Abstract
The IRC provides persons picked up as publicly intoxicated with a low-cost introduction to the availability of recovery opportunities and promotes efficient use of criminal justice system resources. However, informal reports occasionally have indicated that a very small number of intoxicated persons are responsible for most diversions to IRC. To address this issue, this study analyzed the 1,827 diversions performed by the San Diego Police in June 1982. These diversions involved 1,689 individuals, with 92 percent being diverted only once and 5 percent only twice during the month. Diversion rates varied throughout the city and were highest in the Central Division, which has a concentration of the disenfranchised poor. However, the pattern of most persons being diverted only once did not vary significantly among the divisions. While the data confirm a prior study, they do not indicate the total scope of law enforcement involvement with public inebriates, since they exclude cases where police took inebriates to hospitals, mental health centers, or jails. Tables are included. For related reports, see NCJ 93964 and 93965.