Diversion Criminal Justice

Improved Essays
Submit your answers to these questions in to Canvas no later than midnight of October 3rd (next Saturday).

1. One of the goals of diversion programs is to remove the offender from the criminal justice system as quickly as possible. Why is this an important concept?
Diversion gives defendants a chance to escape the stigma of a criminal conviction. Having a offender charged with petty act that can be handled outside the court may subject that individual to having difficulty finding gainful employment as well the overburdening the correction facilities. Also, the cost impact to keep a offender in prison or jail is counterproductive and not worth it if they can be rehabilitated. Diversion is a way to save them before they commit a felony and
…show more content…
Lower cost because the cost to maintain an offender behind bars is $50-60 per day in jail and $60-75 per day in the prison (Schmalleger & Smyka, 2011:103). It increases the opportunity for rehabilitation which costs $8.96 per day because it provides the treatment that the individual needs by having programs set up as a condition of the probation, which that offender has to partake in. The program gives the offender the tools to live a productive life which is better than putting that person behind bars, and after serving their sentencing, released into society without any skills, education or source of income. the failure to integrate into society will influence that person to retract to the criminal life they once knew. It reduces the risk of criminal socialization by eliminating that offender 's interaction with other imprisoned hard core criminals who could possibly influence the offenders if they are …show more content…
The amount of offenders who have maintained jobs and stayed out of trouble, the amount of treatment sessions that are completed, and how many restitution has been paid. Data should be collected on how many are back for the same crime or different crime, and how many have violated the condition that was set out by the judge.

4. Look over the recommendations of the Pew Center that are detailed on pages 165-166 of your text. The six concepts described are designed to strengthen community corrections programs. Assume that you have a limited budget and can only implement two of the six concepts....which two would you choose and WHY?
1. Basing intervention programs on science:
Science is an evidence based endeavor and the most convincing way to improve the effectiveness of this concept. It is impartial and not subjective.
2. Measure progress:
Research methods are used to measure the progress of corrections on criminal activity. It is the outcome of this effort that would tell us if progress is being made or not. Then it will informs us how to address potential gauge to see where we need more work or additional resources or policy

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