NCJ Number
84528
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1982) Pages: 323-328
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the importance of administrative and policy control and the consequences of control loss with reference to the High Level Diversion Project of Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
The project has been operating in Alberta since 1977. Project objectives include providing an alternative to imprisonment for minor offenses or fine default, keeping minor offenders from formal court procedures, and avoiding the assignment of a criminal record to minor offenders. A diversion screening committee was envisioned as the primary instrument of selecting suitable candidates for the project. Confusion arose about juveniles participating in the program and diverting liquor offenses. The project directors had intended that the community alcohol treatment center be used for liquor law violators. Alcohol treatment could not be made the sole part of a diversion agreement, however, because treatment is not enforceable under the law. Additional problems were incurred when the Crown insisted on making the final decision on potential clients for diversion. At this point, the screening committee essentially withdrew from the decisionmaking process. All of these factors combined to produce a referral rate which was much lower than originally anticipated. It is concluded that a community-based program must have control based firmly in the community and in the private agency which administers it, not in formal agencies of the criminal justice system.