Innovative Approaches to Juvenile Justice Executive Summaries of Four Juvenile Diversion Project Reports

• NCJ Number: 85182
• Author(s): T Lajeunesse
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 37 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Canada Solicitor General
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; Canada Solicitor General
• Language: French; English
• Country: Canada
• Note: Includes English and French versions

Annotation

Four Canadian juvenile diversion programs -- the Frontenac Restitution Project, the Essex County Diversion Project, the Hamilton Attendance Center, and the West Island Juvenile Diversion Project -achieved objectives through methods ranging from restitution contracts to group leisure and discussion activities.

Abstract

The Frontenac program's two-pronged approach diverted young offenders from the juvenile justice system and facilitated restitution. Its Juvenile Court Committee of local juvenile justice agencies and community representatives resolved charges against juveniles without court appearances, frequently by recommending restitution in property damage cases. During the 3-year pilot project, 224 juveniles met with the committee; 369 charges were dealt with, of which 83 percent were property offenses. The program met its diversion objectives, even though it did not reduce offenders' perceived stigma. The Essex County pilot project revolved around a 'compensatory task' restitution plan based on actual cost to the victim and the community and the offender's age and work capacity. The project served nonviolent first offenders, encouraged victim participation, and required juveniles' signed acceptance of responsibility for their charge. Between 1975-1978, the project had about a 20.6 percent nonsuccess rate. Thus, it appeared capable of providing an alternative to the court process despite interagency conflicts. The Attendance Center project admitted 13-15-year-old boys on probation for 8-15 weeks of after-school development of social and educational goals and constructive leisure activities. Of 52 participants in 3 years, 7 did not complete the program. School representatives, probation officers, and judges all rated the program effective in alleviating delinquency. The West Island program combined group discussions and activities such as mini-biking, camping, riding, and sailing for 'clubs' of referred youths over a 6-month period. Of 167 referrals in 1978, 72 percent were 14 or 15 years old, 19 percent had been adjudged delinquent and 53 percent had previous police contact. The project received community support. Recent updates on each program are given; a French text is provided.