Court-Affiliated Diversion Programs for Prostitution-Related Crimes: A Comprehensive Review of Program Components and Impact

ObjectiveCourt diversion programs offer alternative treatment interventions in lieu of punitive sanctions. Programs have recently been developed for women arrested for prostitution, with a recognition that many of these individuals frequently experience multiple forms of violence and experience multiple barriers to exiting sex work. This review aims to (a) examine programmatic components used across programs, and (b) identify the diversionary programs' impact on participants.MethodsStudies were identified by entering key search words into three electronic databases and by conducting a citation search.ResultsNine articles were included in the review. Although programs varied in structure, services, and length of time, studies indicated a range of positive outcomes for participants.ConclusionsResults help to illuminate future directions for criminal justice practice, policy, and research.

Court diversion for those with psychosis and its impact on re-offending rates: results from a longitudinal data-linkage study

BackgroundWith significant numbers of individuals in the criminal justice system having mental health problems, court-based diversion programmes and liaison services have been established to address this problem.AimsTo examine the effectiveness of the New South Wales (Australia) court diversion programme in reducing re-offending among those diagnosed with psychosis by comparing the treatment order group with a comparison group who received a punitive sanction.MethodThose with psychoses were identified from New South Wales Ministry of Health records between 2001 and 2012 and linked to offending records. Cox regression models were used to identify factors associated with re-offending.ResultsA total of 7743 individuals were identified as diagnosed with a psychotic disorder prior to their court finalisation date for their first principal offence. Overall, 26% of the cohort received a treatment order and 74% received a punitive sanction. The re-offending rate in the treatment order group was 12% lower than the punitive sanction group. ‘Acts intended to cause injury’ was the most common type of the first principal offence for the treatment order group compared with the punitive sanction group (48% v. 27%). Drug-related offences were more likely to be punished with a punitive sanction than a treatment order (12% v. 2%).ConclusionsAmong those with a serious mental illness (i.e. psychosis), receiving a treatment order by the court rather than a punitive sanction was associated with reduced risk for subsequent offending. We further examined actual mental health treatment received and found that receiving no treatment following the first offence was associated with an increased risk of re-offending and, so, highlighting the importance of treatment for those with serious mental illness in the criminal justice system.

Evaluation of a court liaison and diversion service in London over a quarter of a century

IntroductionOxleas NHS Foundation Trust has run a Court Diversion Service in South East London since 1991. It provides services for people within the earlier stages of the Criminal Justice System.ObjectivesThis evaluation aims to combine data from across the 25-year period since the introduction of the diversion scheme. It seeks to provide a longitudinal picture to elucidate the impact of service changes during this time.MethodsThe evaluation uses data obtained from a variety of sources for four points in time: 2015/2016, 2011, 1999 and 1991. Data across domains was collated to allow longitudinal analysis.ResultsAfter the initial introduction of the scheme in 1991, the total mean time on remand was noted to drop from 67.1 days to 49.5 days (P < 0.001). There were 280 referrals over 18 months in 1991, 210 per year in 1999, 190 in 2011 and 174 between April 2015 and March 2016. Violent crimes increased from 29% in 1991 to 47% in 2011. The proportion with schizophrenia decreased from 31% in 1991 to 18% in 1999, before increasing again to 25% in 2011. The use of Section 37 hospital order disposal decreased from 15% in 1991 to just 4% in 2011.ConclusionsThe court diversion scheme has produced significant benefits since it was introduced in 1991, despite a rise in the proportion of violent alleged offences. Changes to the service have seen decreased use of hospital orders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.