The Basis of Diversion and Correction Programs - Essay Example

Corrections Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for giving me this opportunity to share with you some important information that will be more focused on dealing with crime through diversion. As you have noticed from recent news broadcasts, the rate of crime has been on the rise in recent years. As a result of this, correctional institutions have tended to become over-congested and law courts have become overwhelmed by work. It is also a fact that some of the offences committed by people are not particularly grave and may therefore be considered as petty. Instead of being convicted and sent to prison, many petty offenders are always put on probation. On the other hand, some people are always released on parole after serving a part of their terms in prison. During parole and probation, offenders are required to abstain from committing similar offences while at the same time meeting certain prescribed conditions. It is usually the duty of correctional treatment specialists, parole officers and probation officers to monitor offenders and help them keep out of new crimes for as long as they are in their custodies. Such setups are often known as diversion programs. Some students may wish to play an integral role in protecting the country against criminals or by preventing criminals from committing other crimes. It is upon this very fact that my address is going to be based. In other words, I am going to discuss about the role of diversion, and the career path to a profession in this field. Division Programs Diversion programs in criminal justice systems of different states are mainly run by district attorney’s offices, courts, police departments, or by agencies. The programs are aimed at enabling criminal offenders avoid being charged by law courts as well as having their names appearing on criminal records. In other words, diversion programs are a better alternative to police and court involvement, and in some cases, where these institutions are involved, to avoid further prosecution. Theoretical Background and History of Diversion Theoretically, diversionary tactics have a strong background. One Tannenbaum’s in 1938 regarded the application of formal court procedures against juveniles and minor offenders as the “dramatization of evil”. In 1963, a sociologist by the name Becker noted that labeling some acts as deviant and therefore treating their committers as outsiders in some cases did more harm to the offenders and society in general than the good that they intended to fulfill. Yet again, in 1951, one Lemert made certain classic statements about the assigning of labels to offenders that led to what he termed as “secondary deviance”. Proponents of diversion programs have often cited several studies that have shown a significant positive correlation between the use of the method and desired outcome in terms of improved behavior. One such research was carried out in Colorado. During the study a diversion program was used that involved the administration of parental, family and individual counseling to a group of diverted youths. Significantly lower rates of recidivism were encountered compared to those of achieved by the control group that was used. In 1967, the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice in response to issues raised by the perspective of labeling called for the establishment of bureaus meant to direct special youth services. These bureaus had the responsibility of developing alternative programs, within local communities, for correcting juvenile offenders. Quickly, these bureaus began work in most communities and appeared as a movement aimed at diverting the youth from juvenile courts. The bureaus mainly targeted non-serious delinquents and status offenders. The Basis of Diversion Diversion is based on the fact that correcting some people and especially juveniles may be more harmful than helpful. It is argued that, inadvertently, courts may stigmatize some juveniles who may have only committed petty crimes – crimes that would best be handled without regard to the formal system. In many cases, programs meant for diverting adults are quite different from those for juvenile delinquents. The main aims of diversion programs as instituted by various states include: 1. To relieve police departments, courts, probation offices and other correction institutions of excess burden, convict population and/or extra strain on limited resources. This in turn enables correction institutions and courts to focus on dealing with more serious offences and criminals. 2. To give opportunity to offenders to escape prosecution by fulfilling certain prescribed requirements The main requirements of diversion programs in criminal correction include: offering restitution on behalf of the criminal’s victims, educating the offender with an aim of discouraging the future commitment of similar crimes, completing prescribed community service hours and avoiding circumstances that may lead to the commitment of similar crimes by the offender for a specified period of time. Success of Diversion Programmes Research conducted by various individual and organizations have indeed shown that diversion plays a significant role in rehabilitating and improving outcomes for both youthful offenders and adults. Diversion has in many cases achieved better outcomes in criminal correction compared to when the court system is directly involved. It has been noted that the most successful diversion programs are those that provide more comprehensive and intense services. It has also been noted that the use of well trained and experienced young people as caseworkers significantly improves the probability of the program’s success. An analysis conducted on the success of one such program in St. Luis, for example, revealed that greater behavioral change was achieved when experienced youth caseworkers were used than when less experienced ones were used. While several studies show that there are higher chances of behavioral change when diversion programs are used, only a few studies have shown the contrary. Other concerns that have been raised with regard to diversion include issue related to civil rights violation, discrimination, net widening, and prejudice. Processes and Procedures related to Diversion Programs Normally, hearings in diversion programs are conducted by specially trained volunteers. The role of these volunteers (the officers) in most cases is mostly restricted to acting as hearing officers and mediators. In other words, their role is more like that played by the Justice of Peace. The work of the volunteers by nature is highly professional and technical as they have to administer restitution, referral service and decide work hours in an atmosphere that is quasi judicial. In addition, these officers have the authority to refer to appropriate agencies juveniles or offenders that are seemingly in need of specialized treatment. Like it is with many other professions, workers are often subject to be on call throughout. In some cases, the working environment may be relatively hostile and working conditions may therefore be adversarial or hazardous. This is primarily as a direct result of workers having to be in close contact with patients and prisoners. Job Opportunities and Duties In order to qualify as a worker or volunteer in a diversion program, one needs to meet a number of qualification standards. These mainly depend on the type or nature of job that one wishes to perform. Popular job positions in diversion programs include probation/parole specialists or community correction case specialists and administrative assistants to one senior administrative authority or another. Duties of various officers may range from developing policies, programs and long-range plans for the specialized program, formulating guidelines and procedures for assigned probation programs, and preparing budgets. Education, skill and Abilities Volunteers or workers should be knowledgeable in developing, planning and administering programs, reporting techniques and methods, probation treatment and supervision, parole techniques, community resources and organization, social attitudes, interviewing techniques, psychosocial factors that come into play in the commission of crime, mental illnesses, minority group problems and behavioral problems. Further, they should have the abilities to identify pathological behavior, conduct investigations, prepare and maintain records, interpret complex regulations and rules, maintain good public relations, communicate well both in writing and verbally, formulate economic and social plans for rehabilitation and evaluate findings. It is also very important for officers to have the ability to command the cooperation of probationers, parolees, employers, relatives and public and private agencies in some cases. As mentioned earlier, the nature of work involved in diversion programs is highly technical and professional and thus requires knowledge in one or more technical fields. In most cases one should posses a bachelor’s degree in correctional administration, criminal justice, child development, school social work, sociology, educational psychology, theology, family relations, social work administration, psychology, guidance and counseling or criminology. Other requirements and Nature of Work Given the nature of work involved in the programs, applicants should be stable physically and emotionally. Owing to the growing use of information and communication technology ion parole and probation work, workers are nowadays required to have knowledge of computers and their applications. In most jurisdictions, persons who have pending felony charges or have been convicted of a felony may not be employed as officers in diversion programs. Also, workers should be adults of a certain age while not exceeding a preset age limit that widely depends on the state. This in most cases is a state or legal requirement. In general, equivalent combinations of experience and education that will provide the required abilities, skills and knowledge are always evaluated on personal or individual basis. Advancement in diversion-related jobs is based primarily on performance, education level and length of experience like in most other jobs. Conclusion In conclusion, I must say that it is important for all of us to avoid crime at all costs. We must appreciate those whose efforts are directing to protecting other people and also at the rehabilitation of offenders. The country needs many volunteers to work as correction specialists and students should take up the challenge to fill the gap created by this need. Thank you. Read More