The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office directs Youth Intercept, a violence-prevention program that aims to break the cycle of youth violence and retaliation. Youth Intercept provides educational services and referrals to public health services to at-risk youth, particularly African American males between the ages of 10 to 18. Youth Intercept conducts its work in partnership with Memorial Health University Medical Center, Chatham County Juvenile Court System, Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, and Chatham County Public Schools. Key activities include a hospital-based violence intervention program for youth injured by violence and a school-based youth development program for students with a history of truancy or behavioral issues, tutoring, career awareness, referrals for counseling, case management, and other services.

The JJSIP program provides a framework for implementing best practices throughout the juvenile justice system. JJSIP is composed of two tiers (click on each link for an overview): the Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders (including the Disposition Matrix) and the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP). The JJSIP project aims to provide “the right service for the right kid, at the right time, in the right dosage.”

Based on the belief that many low-level criminal offenders with substance abuse issues need community-based treatment rather than incarceration, the Prosecutor’s Office in Hocking County, OH, is developing a prosecutor-led diversion program in partnership with Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime of Southeast Ohio (TASC). Case managers from TASC will screen prospective participants for eligibility and ensure they receive counseling and treatment to address the underlying causes of addiction and criminal offending. A specialized prosecutor and a diversion coordinator oversee the program to ensure participants have the tools necessary to maintain sobriety after the program’s conclusion.

The Milwaukee County Diversion Program is a prefiling program in which the prosecutor receives the case from law enforcement but opts not to file charges with the court, provided the defendant completes diversionary programming. Every defendant arrested and booked into the Milwaukee County Central Criminal Justice Facility is administered a risk assessment to determine eligibility. If eligible, participants receive services that include educational programs, required restitution, drug treatment, and attendance at a restorative justice conference. If a participant completes the program’s individualized treatment and social services and remains crime-free for the program period, the participant’s case will not be filed with the court. Program failure results in the participant’s case being filed in court.

The Missoula County Calibrate Pretrial Diversion Program is a formalized pretrial diversion program whose target population is first-time offenders. A screening process, which includes consultation with victims, determines who is accepted into pretrial diversion. Once accepted, participants must adhere to agreed-upon conditions for a set time frame. Requirements of pretrial diversion are tailored to a participant’s individual needs and circumstances. Participation in Missoula County’s Diversion Program is voluntary. Successful completion of the program results in the dismissal of the criminal charge.

The San Francisco Pretrial Diversion program is a community-based alternative to prosecution and fines, geared towards people with little prior justice involvement. Programs connect newly arrested people with case managers who develop community supervision goals and guidelines. These may include community-based treatment programs, community service projects, and regular participation in therapeutic groups. Once the client completes the requirements of their treatment plan, their case is dismissed by the Court, which provides a strong incentive for the client to engage with services and avoid illegal activity.