NCJ Number
65421
Date Published
1979
Length
56 pages
Annotation
THIS CANADIAN REFERENCE MANUAL DISCUSSES THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS AND DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURES FOR ADULT DIVERSION PROJECTS.
Abstract
DIVERSION IS A FORMAL PROCEDURE, VISIBLE AND PUBLICLY ACCOUNTABLE, OF REFERRING OFFENDERS WHO ARE USUALLY HANDLED IN COURT TO AN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM, WHERE A VOLUNTARY SETTLEMENT OF THE OFFENSE IS DEVELOPED IN COOPERATION WITH THE VICTIM AND COMMUNITY. MEDIATION--AN INTERVENTION TO PROMOTE RECONCILIATION, SETTLEMENT, OR COMPROMISE--IS THE GENERAL DIVERSION PROCESS. TWO TYPES OF VOLUNTARY MEDIATION SETTLEMENTS ARE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER (OFFENDER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT PAY FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME) AND VICTIM SETTLEMENTS (COMPENSATION OR SERVICE RENDERED TO THE VICTIM OF THE OFFENSE). SAFEGUARDS SHOULD BE BUILT INTO THE DIVERSION PROCESS SO AS TO PRESERVE DUE PROCESS RIGHTS AND PROVIDE EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW. A PLAN FOR DIVERSION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT IS PROVIDED, WITH EMPHASIS UPON INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. INFORMATION AND CONSULTANT RESOURCES ARE SUGGESTED FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, PRIVATE AGENCIES, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. STAFF REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. INFORMATION NEEDS AND PROJECT MONITORING ARE CONSIDERED, ALONG WITH THE PREPARATION OF A FUNDING PROPOSAL. EXISTING DIVERSION PROJECTS ARE LISTED, ALONG WITH SOURCES OF REFERRAL, CONTACT PERSONS, AND STARTING DATE. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS ALSO PROVIDED. (RCB)