NCJ Number
152829
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 21 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 165-182
Date Published
1994
Length
18 pages
Annotation
While studies of youth service bureaus are usually based on a sample of such agencies over a relatively short period of time and typically focus on whether diversion actually occurred, the current study examined how a single youth service bureau emphasized diversion over a 20-year period.
Abstract
The study assessed Omni House's commitment to juvenile diversion during the years it was funded by the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission and in subsequent years when it did not receive such funding. The client population totaled 47,000 over the 20-year period. Findings revealed that Omni House maintained its emphasis on juvenile diversion, not because of funding agency pressure but because juvenile diversion represented sound policy. The agency kept its focus on juvenile diversion without restricting its clients to juvenile justice system referred youth. The goal was to provide comprehensive services to diverse population groups. Omni House administrators and staff maintained close working relationships with law enforcement agencies in the communities served, provided specialized training for juvenile officers in police departments, and generally welcomed law enforcement involvement. 22 references and 3 tables