NCJ Number
115915
Date Published
1988
Length
118 pages
Annotation
Under Arizona's Progressively Increasing Consequences Act (PICA), Juvenile probation officers may assign specified juvenile offenders to participation in community service work or educational or counseling programs.
Abstract
This evaluation examined community perceptions, operations, and outcomes of PICA programs in three Counties. Results indicate the program has been very well received by the juvenile justice community (judges, county attorneys, public defenders, probation personnel), law enforcement officials, school principals, and program participants and their parents. Most respondents also rated the PICA consequence options as effective and felt it was reducing recidivism. Programs in all three Counties appear to be functioning as intended and operating smoothly, and the vast majority (over 90 percent) have their complaints adjusted through PICA. Juveniles diverted into the program were most often referred for misdemeanor property offenses (primarily shoplifting). Community service was the most frequently assigned consequence, followed by participation in an educational class. Overall, 29.1 percent of participants were referred to the court on new charges within 12 months of program placement, and 40.3 percent were referred within 24 months. New complaints were more frequent among males, blacks and Hispanics, youth over 13 years old, non-property offenders, and those with prior complaints. 61 tables.