September 3, 2015
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Announces Receipt
of Federal Grant to Study Impact of Diversion Programs
Harrisburg, PA. — The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)
announced the receipt of competitive grant funds from the Department of Justice
to study the impact of alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders
with a drug and alcohol dependency.
“We at PCCD are entrusted with ensuring that our
programs and those we fund are effective and results-oriented,” said Chairman
Josh Shapiro. “This funding will allow us to measure the impact that these
programs are having so we can continue working to improve the criminal justice
system.”
Fifty-six counties throughout Pennsylvania, receive PCCD funding in support
of County Intermediate Punishment Programs that address
alcohol and drug dependency among non-violent offenders. These programs support
treatment as well as assessment, evaluation, case management, and supervision
services for offenders. The goal of these programs is to provide offenders with
treatment to reduce recidivism rates.
On average, PCCD supports
the diversion of approximately 1,600 offenders annually from incarceration to Intermediate
Punishment Programs, which equates to thousands of total jail days averted. An initial study of the Intermediate
Punishment Program also indicates a low recidivism rate for the participants (22%),
demonstrating that the program has a positive impact on future behaviors.
The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice
Statistics has awarded PCCD $100,995 which will allow for a comprehensive study
comparing offenders who participated in Intermediate Punishment Programs versus
similar offenders who received incarceration sentences. The study seeks to
measure the impact of diversionary programs on recidivism in the Commonwealth
against a control group. In addition, funds will be used for GIS-mapping projects
to allow for greater accessibility for the public and decision makers.
The Department of Justice grant announcement can be found here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Matthew Leonard,
717.265.8539
# # #