Citation

Regoli R, Wilderman E, Pogrebin MR. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 1985; 7(1): 21-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0190-7409(85)90037-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes the effectiveness of six juvenile diversion programs in the metropolitan area of Denver, Colorado. Program success was measured by recidivism reduction. However, by using a one-for-one statistical client-baseline matching method and a variable definition of recidivism, we managed to overcome drawbacks that often occur when using recidivism as an outcome indicator. Together, program participants showed a 26% reduction in recidivism rate over that of a matched baseline sample. Although four of the six programs studied accounted for the overall success rate, we explain why two of the programs showed no significant reductions in recidivism rates.