“Recidivism of Juvenile Offenders in a Diversion Restitution Program (Compared to a Matched Group of Offenders Processed through Court).”

Source: (1990) In: B. Galaway and J. Hudson (eds.), Criminal Justice, Restitution, and Reconciliation. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 217-225.

The Vermont Juvenile Court Diversion program requires juvenile offenders to make restitution to their victims and to the community in the form of unpaid service. Court records were used for a long-term follow-up (1981 through 1987) of 60 male diversion participants, aged 16 or 17, who were compared to a matched sample of youth who were not diverted. The groups were matched on the variables of sex, age, prior experience with the juvenile justice system and presenting offense. Diversion participants showed significantly less subsequent offending, both in incidence and severity.