PRE-HEARING INTERVENTION IN THE JUVENILE COURT - THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY TENNESSE YOUTH DIVERSION PROJECT (FROM SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ON CORRECTIONS - PROCEEDINGS, 1979, BY V FOX - SEE NCJ-59373)

• NCJ Number: 59386
• Author(s): D P SCHNELLER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 26 pages
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Professional Development and Public Service; Florida State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY (TENN.) YOUTH DIVERSION PROJECT (YDP) IS DESCRIBED, HIGHLIGHTING INFORMATION ON ITS FIRST YEAR OPERATIONS.

Abstract

THE YDP, A JUVENILE PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR FIRST AND SECOND OFFENDERS, OPERATES WITHOUT FUNDING OR THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS. EACH JUVENILE WHO ELECTS THE PROJECT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ARREST AND TRIAL IS ASSIGNED TO A STUDENT AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY FOR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT. STUDENTS ARE SUPERVISED BY A PROJECT DIRECTOR AND A PROFESSOR IN SOCIOLOGY, AND THEY RECEIVE 3 HOURS OF ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR PARTICIPATION. YOUTH WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE YDP HAVE OFFICIAL CHARGES AGAINST THEM DROPPED. ALTHOUGH YDP HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED, A SIMILAR PROJECT IN ILLINOIS WAS FOUND BY LEAA RESEARCH TO BE EFFECTIVE AND WAS DESIGNATED AN EXEMPLARY PROJECT. YDP HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL RECEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY, POLICE, PARENTS, JUVENILE JUDGES, AND STUDENTS. DURING ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, THE PROGRAM SERVICED ALL REFERRALS, A TOTAL OF 73 YOUTHS; 204 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).