Adolescent Diversion Program (New York State)
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Juvenile delinquency
Violent crimes
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Courts of justice
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a redirection program for 16- and 17-year-olds served by the criminal justice system. The objective is to offer alternatives and appropriate services for adolescents, as well as to reduce the application of conventional sentences and, consequently, criminal recidivism and violence.
The program provides rehabilitation services, such as individual counseling, family mediation, substance use and mental health treatment, vocational and training programs, and community service.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation yielded little evidence that redirecting 16- and 17-year-old offenders from the adult criminal justice system had any effect on participants’ recidivism rates. Similar recidivism rates were found between program participants and control group members [1].
The nonsignificant differences between the groups support the hypothesis that redirection of older adolescents does not increase recidivism or the risk to the public [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Rempel, M., Lambson, S. H., Cadoret, C. R. & Walker Franklin, A. (2013). The Adolescent Diversion Program: A First Year Evaluation of Alternatives to Conventional Case Processing for Defendants Ages 16 and 17 in New York. New York, NY. Center for Court Innovation. https://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/ADP_Repor…

Information source