105 Oxford Road Saxonwold Johannesburg South Africa 2196

ARTICLE

EVALUATION REPORT NEW DIRECTIONS DIVERSION PROGRAMME

“They helped me see the direction of my life”

Divertee, Alexandra 2003

Introduction

This independent evaluation study was undertaken for Khulisa Child Nurturing Organisation to assess the impact of its “New Directions” Diversion programme. The purpose for the research was twofold: to provide empirical data regarding the impact and process of implementing the programme to inform future strategies and to establish a system to enable ongoing evaluation of the impact of the programme. 

The goal of New Directions is “a community-based non-custodial programme developed for children diverted from the criminal justice system or referred by the police or parents that aims to prevent re-offending”. This diversion programme falls within the broader vision of Khulisa, which is to “contribute to the reduction of crime through the development and implementation of social crime prevention programmes”.

The objectives of the New Directions diversion programme are: 

  1. To create the opportunity for offenders to take responsibility and become accountable for their actions
  2. To provide an opportunity for reparation
  3. To identify underlying problems motivating offensive behaviour
  4. To prevent most first time or petty offenders from receiving a criminal record and being labelled as criminals, since this may become a self-fulfilling prophecy
  5. To provide educational and rehabilitative programmes to the benefit of all parties concerned
  6. To lesson the burden on the formal justice system
  7. To reduce offending (recidivism)

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Programme impact

New Directions is successful as a diversion option for those participants who attend and participate in the programme. Fifty percent of all referrals successfully completed the programme (17.5% of divertees are still on the programme). It is particularly successful for juvenile offenders who have been referred by court for property crimes (such as shoplifting and theft) and interpersonal crime (assault). Their attendance and participation on the programme has resulted in them not receiving a criminal record and consequently not being labelled as criminals. Two divertees who completed the programme re-offended.

The programme has had an impact on facilitating and bringing about enormous changes in the lives of the individuals who have participated. These changes include the following facets of youth development:

  • Changes in behaviour from offensive and deviant behaviour to positive behaviour.
  • An increase in self-awareness demonstrated through an increase in levels of self-esteem, confidence and understanding of feelings of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.
  • Abilities to understand and manage feelings positively, which contributes towards an increase in being honest, more open, and more sensitive.
  • Being able to manage one-self through being able to make informed choices and dealing with problems.
  • Changing attitudes, morals and values towards the community and participating in meaningful community activities, such as sport, volunteering at the police station or working with the disabled. 
  • An improvement in inter-personal relationships through developing communication skills and strengthening interaction between peers and family members, particularly parents.

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