PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM IN MONROE COUNTY, N.Y. - AN EVALUATION

• NCJ Number: 42822
• Author(s): J SMITH; S HANFORD; P KLUESS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 94 pages
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Governmental Research, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS IS AN EVALUATION OF A DIVERSION PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PROSECUTION BY OFFERING DEFENDANTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR COUNSELING AND OTHER SERVICES USING PROGRAM STAFF MEMBERS AND REFERRALS.

Abstract

THE EVALUATION HAS THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAM'S IMPACT, A COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS, AND A PROCESS ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAM'S INTERNAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL INTERRELATIONSHIPS. AMONG THE MAJOR CONCLUSIONS RESULTING FROM THE EVALUATION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE PROGRAM LED TO A 67 PERCENT REDUCTION IN CONVICTIONS ON ARRESTS LEADING TO PROGRAM ENTRY. MAJOR COST SAVINGS RESULTED FROM REDUCTIONS IN PROBATION AND JAIL SENTENCES, FEWER LOWER COURT TRIALS, AND REDUCTIONS IN PRESENTENCE JAIL CUSTODIES. FURTHER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS WAS DEPENDENT NOT ONLY ON ITS OWN INTERNAL OPERATIONS, BUT ALSO ON THE EXTENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND APPROPRIATE USE OF THE PROGRAM BY DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY SCREENERS, AND JUDGES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...KAP