Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program (Seattle, Washington)
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a community outreach program that serves drug abusers and sex workers in Seattle. It seeks to redirect this population to care in community-based social programs, avoiding going through the prison system.
They are monitored by a case supervisor, who makes an initial diagnosis. Depending on each case, the supervisors can provide financial support, through access to specific funds, to maintain the basic needs of the user monitored by the program.
Another strategy developed by the program is legal assistance and prosecution coordination in any other criminal proceedings that the participants have pending.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that the program resulted in a 57% decrease in arrests for recidivism. However, there was no significant difference after 6 months of program implementation [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Collins, S. E., Lonczak, H. S. & Clifasefi, S. L. (2015). Lead Program Evaluation: Recidivism Report. University of Washington; Harborview Medical Center. https://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/26121870/1428513375150/L…

Information source