Correct Course

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Since 2007, the Wayne County Correct Course Initiative has provided an alternative to traditional juvenile court adjudication and probation to 850 youth. The initiative is based on the belief that some youth and juvenile offenses can be more effectively dealt with via a skilled assessment process and Youth Assistance Program participation instead of prosecution. Low-risk youthful offenders who might otherwise be placed under juvenile court supervision are referred to alternative community-based local diversion programs. Youth receive weekly supervised intervention for a period of three to six months. Upon successful completion of the program, no petition for subsequent court action is filed by the Prosecutor’s Office. In addition to allowing eligible offenders the opportunity to keep their records clean, Correct Course addresses reasons for the offense behavior from a community service focus, holds youth accountable to learn from their mistakes, repairs the harm caused to families, victims, and the community and supports youth to attend school and participate safely in the community. To date, 91% of all youth referred through Correct Course have successfully completed the program requirements, and 97% of those youth have avoided picking up a new formal charge.