Juvenile Diversion

The Ottawa Community Youth Diversion Program (OCYDP) targets medium-risk youth, structured according to the risk and necessity for offender rehabilitation. According to OCYDP, youth referred to diversion programs had significantly lower re-offense rates than those referred to probation even when controlling for risk level, age, gender, and nature of the index offense. However, program completion within the diversion program impacted outcomes, with those failing to complete the program showing higher recidivism levels than the probation youth, demonstrating a key flaw in the potential productivity of diversion programs. (Wilson & Hoge, 2013).

The OCYDP uses a case management brokerage model that assigns caseworkers to assess youth using a method called the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory, where referrals to community agencies are made based on criminogenic risk/need areas. The diversion group consisted of a random sample of pre-adjudicated youth referred to the OCYDP between January 2007 and December 2009. The sample was matched based on gender, age, and categorical risk level assessed by the YLS/CMI. The comparison group consisted of youth sentenced to probation during the same time frame. Of the 250 youth referred to the OCYDP, 170 were matched with 208 youth sentenced to probation. Of the diverted youth, 115 were successful completers, 21 were partial completers, and 29 were noncompliant. The program lost contact with three youths, who were excluded from further analyses. Comparisons between diverted and probation-sentenced youth showed that diverted youth had lower rates of recidivism, with successful completers showing the lowest recidivism rates (Wilson & Hoge, 2013).

The development and use of diversion services for youth offenders have been strongly supported by theories like the labeling and differential association theory. Labeling theory posits that society labels individuals as criminals, leading them to internalize this label and behave in ways consistent with it. Differential association theory, on the other hand, suggests that criminal behavior is learned through exposure to criminal norms rather than prosocial ones. Thus, youth surrounded by criminal behavior are more likely to engage in antisocial activities. (Wilson & Hoge, 2013).

Diversion programs for youth offenders are essential for reducing recidivism and providing effective treatment and interventions. Research has shown that contact with the juvenile justice system can have detrimental effects on youth, increasing their likelihood of reoffending. The meta-analysis study by Smith et al. (2002) found that incarcerated youth have higher recidivism rates compared to those supervised in the community. These findings support the argument for diverting youth offenders from the justice system to reduce further offending. However, diverting youth from the justice system is not enough on its own. Effective diversion programs should provide effective treatment and interventions. The risk, need, responsivity (RNR) model of offender rehabilitation emphasizes the importance of addressing an offender’s risk level, criminogenic needs, and responsivity factors. Meta-analyses have shown strong support for the effectiveness of correctional treatment services adhering to the RNR principles in reducing recidivism among both youth and adult offenders. By understanding and applying theories such as labeling theory and the RNR model, policymakers and practitioners can develop and implement diversion programs that effectively address the needs of youth offenders and reduce their likelihood of reoffending (Wilson & Hoge, 2013).

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