NCJ Number
133043
Date Published
1991
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of The Netherlands' Bureau Halt, a diversion program for juveniles who have committed vandalism, focuses on client characteristics, program operations, and the program's effectiveness in countering vandalism.
Abstract
Youth arrested by the police for vandalism are referred to the Halt Program which offers an alternative to formal processing of the case and arranges restitution for injured parties. Clients, their parents, and the vandalism victims negotiate an agreement to settle the case. The client is responsible for fulfilling the agreement. The evaluation used a sample of 179 juveniles who participated in the projects in Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and Dordrecht. Data were collected on the reason for referral to the program and the settlement procedures. A self-report questionnaire covered the juveniles' characteristics and recidivism as of 1 year after program completion. Data were also collected from a control group that consisted of juveniles who had committed vandalism, but did not participate in the program. The police warned these juveniles not to repeat the offense and also told their parents of the offense. Findings indicate that the clients are typically "normal" in terms of school functioning, home situation, and the use of alcohol and drugs. Clients were far more delinquent than average Dutch juveniles, however. The program is apparently effective, in that more than 60 percent of the clients reported no recidivism after 1 year, compared to 25-percent recidivism for the control group. The evaluation recommends expansion of the program throughout the country. 3 tables, 14 references