Exploring Outcomes of Partcipants in Felony Diversion Programs

• In Event: Poster Session 1

Abstract

As pathways out of traditional criminal legal processes, diversion programs help reduce the negative impact of convictions. This is especially important for felonies, as felony convictions hold wide-ranging collateral consequences. This study aims to explore how recidivism outcomes differ for those who complete felony diversion programs compared to those who did not in a large midwestern jurisdiction. Administrative data were analyzed across two felony diversion programs from 2011-2022 (n = 9,922). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to analyze post program arrest, conviction, and incarceration as predicted by program completion status and covariates, including demographics and prior criminal legal impact. Completing each program was associated with significantly lower odds of being arrested (aOR = 0.38, p < .001), convicted (aOR = 0.13, p < 0.001), and incarcerated (aOR = 0.12, p < 0.001) for the primary diversion program as well as significantly lower odds of being arrested (aOR = 0.58, p < .001), convicted (aOR = 0.43, and incarcerated (aOR = 0.31, p < 0.001) for the drug-charge specific program. As completing felony diversion programs is associated with reduced recidivism, further exploration and development of alternative programs for more serious charges may be considered as a potential strategy for decarceration.

Author

• Alexa Cinque, University of Chicago