Diverting Our Attention to What Works Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Youth Diversion Program

This study evaluated the Ottawa Community Youth Diversion Program (OCYDP), a diversion program targeting medium-risk youth and structured according to the risk, need, responsivity principles of offender rehabilitation. The recidivism rate of 170 postcharge youth referred to the OCYDP were compared to that of 208 matched youth sentenced to a period of probation. Youth referred to diversion had significantly lower reoffense 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. Results are discussed in terms of the impact of judicial system involvement and the provision of treatment.