NCJ Number
25091
Date Published
1974
Length
28 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A PROGRAM TO OFFER COORDINATED SERVICES TO SELECTED YOUTHFUL FIRST OFFENDERS IN THE AREAS OF PERSONAL COUNSELING, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT, EDUCATIONAL ASSITANCE, AND NARCOTIC REHABILITATION.
Abstract
PROSECUTION OF CHARGES IS DEFERRED FOR AN INITIAL THREE TO SIX MONTHS, AND ASSUMING SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM PARTICIPATION, THE CHARGES ARE DROPPED. THE PROGRAM'S PURPOSE IF TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM BY REMOVING THESE YOUNG FIRST OFFENDERS FROM THE CRIME CYCLE AND IMPROVING THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. EVALUATION, THROUGH ANALYSIS OF RECIDIVISM DATA, AND FOLLOWUP SURVEYS TO DETERMINE EMPLOYMENT STATUS, WAS MADE FOR FIRST THIRTY MONTHS IN WHICH THE PROGRAM PROCESSED OVER ONE THOUSAND YOUTHS. RECIDIVISM AMONG THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM WAS FOUND TO BE ONE THIRD OF THE RATE AMONG NON-PROGRAM YOUTHS, AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF EMPLOYMENT AND JOB STABILITY WAS GREATER. COST OF PROCESSING YOUTHS THROUGH THE PROGRAM WAS LESS THAN HALF THAT OF PROCESSING THEM THROUGH COURTS AND PROBATION SERVICES.