DIVERSION FROM THE CRIMINAL PROCESS IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY - FINAL REPORT OF THE AMERICAN BAR FOUNDATION PROJECT ON RURAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• NCJ Number: 11573
• Author(s): S J BRAKEL; G R SOUTH
• Date Published: 1969
• Length: 52 pages
• Sale Source: American Bar Foundation
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM AMERICAN CRIMINAL LAW QUARTERLY, V 7, N 3 (SPRING 1969), P 122-173

Annotation

SURVEY OF COURT DIVERSION PRACTICES FOR ALCOHOLICS, THE MENTALLY ILL, AND JUVENILES IN RURAL AREAS OF CAIRO-CARBONDALE AND JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS.

Abstract

THIS STUDY DEALS WITH THE HANDLING OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN NEED OF TREATMENT (ALCOHOLICS, THE MENTALLY ILL, AND JUVENILES) AND FOR WHOM FULL CRIMINAL DISPOSITION DOES NOT APPEAR REQUIRED. OBSERVATIONS REVEAL THAT DIVERSION OF MARGINAL OFFENDERS IS RARELY EFFECTED THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED AS VERY INFORMAL. A DESCRIPTION IS GIVEN OF EACH AREA, ITS MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, AND THE KIND OF CASES WHICH OCCUR. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION AND COMMENTS ON THE HANDLING OF ALCOHOLICS AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE PROVIDED. THE DATA REVEAL A RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF THE ABOVE AGENCIES TO ASSIST THESE INDIVIDUALS, EXCEPT ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. THIS STUDY SUGGESTS THAT RURAL AREAS, SUCH AS THE TWO STUDIED, ARE SEARCHING FOR ACCEPTABLE, APPROPRIATE, AND WORKABLE CHANNELS FOR THE DIVERSION OF CERTAIN OFFENDERS RATHER THAN A LEGAL JUSTIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT OF CERTAIN GROUPS.