LANCASTER COUNTY (NB) PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM EVALUATION FINDINGS FOR 1977 FELONY DIVERSIONS

• NCJ Number: 65458
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: Lancaster Cty Pre-Trial Diversion Program
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM (PTP) OF LANCASTER COUNTY, NEBR., ALLOWED INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH NONVIOLENT OFFENSES TO EARN DISMISSAL OF THEIR CHARGES BY MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY (IN 1977).

Abstract

THE STAFF AND THE PARTICIPANT DEVISED A PROGRAM AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHICH COULD INCLUDE RESTITUTION, EMPLOYMENT, VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE, OR TREATMENT FOR DRUG, ALCOHOL, OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. MOST PARTICIPANTS WERE WHITE MALES WITH AN AVERAGE AGE OF 22 YEARS WHO HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH DRUG, PROPERTY, OR FRAUD OFFENSES. AFTER 1 YEAR, 75 PERCENT OF THE 177 FELONY OFFENDERS THAT WERE DIVERTED FROM THE COURTS FULFILLED THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND HAD THEIR CHARGES DISMISSED. DURING THE YEAR, 30 PERCENT OF THE PARTICIPANTS WERE REARRESTED FOR OTHER THAN TRAFFIC OFFENSES. USING AN IMPROVED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM, SEVERAL VARIABLES WERE ANALYZED FOR RECIDIVISM, INCLUDING AGE, DIVERSION OFFENSE, SEX, EDUCATION, PRIOR ARRESTS, AND EMPLOYMENT. PROPERTY OFFENDERS CONSTITUTED THE YOUNGEST GROUP AND HAD MORE PROBLEMS IN THE PROGRAM, WHEREAS DRUG OFFENDERS PERFORMED WELL. NEVERTHELESS, SELF-REPORTED DRUG USAGE PROVED TO BE OF LITTLE VALUE IN PREDICTING PROGRAM SUCCESS. THE EMPLOYMENT RATES AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS FOR MANY PARTICIPANTS IMPROVED DURING THE YEAR. INTERVIEWS WITH APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE PARTICIPANTS INDICATED THAT A MAJORITY FELT THAT THE PROGRAM HAD IMPROVED THEIR FINANCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS HELPING THEM TO SOLVE PERSONAL PROBLEMS AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. THE PROGRAM ACHIEVED ITS GOALS IN TERMS OF COMPLETION RATES AND RECIDIVISM, BUT A FINAL EVALUATION WILL DEPEND ON COMPARISONS WITH NON-PTP GROUPS AND A 2-YEAR RECIDIVISM STUDY. PRELIMINARY ANALYSES INDICATED THAT THE PROGRAM HAD REDUCED COSTS PER FAVORABLE COMPLETION AND RETURNED ABOUT 80 CENTS FOR EACH DOLLAR OF PUBLIC FUNDS EXPENDED. CHARTS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DATA ON PRIOR ARRESTS, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, EDUCATION, WAGES EARNED, AND DRUG USAGE BEFORE AND AFTER DIVERSION. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR THE PTP PROGRAM. (MJM)