Rapid Intervention Community Court (Chittenden County, Vt.)
Solution types
Restorative Justice
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Effectiveness

No Effect

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No Effect

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Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Courts of justice
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a restorative justice program to redirect people on non-violent criminal charges. The goal is to reduce recidivism and the number of convictions, while increasing cost-effectiveness and administrative efficiency.
The program consists of a quick intervention that provides restorative justice assistance and services within the community. Community-based services include treatment for substance use and mental health issues in therapeutic settings.
The intervention includes components of offender accountability, victim compensation, rehabilitation, community service, substance use treatment, and mental health treatment.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation with a quasi-experimental design showed a statistically significant effect in terms of reducing the probability of conviction of defendants participating in the program compared to non-participants (16% vs. 64%, respectively). However, no statistically significant differences were found in recidivism rates [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Rempel, M., Labriola, M., Hunt, P., Davis, R. C., Reich, W. A. & Cherney, S. (2018). Nij’s Multisite Evaluation of ProsecutorLed Diversion Programs: Strategies, Impacts, and Cost-Effectiveness. New York, NY. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251665.pdf

Information source