Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Redirection as Effective as Residential Delinquency Programs, Achieved Substantial Cost Avoidance

Report 06-34, March 2006




Report Summary

  • Although it experienced several start-up challenges, the Redirection program is generally performing as directed and has met its contract performance measures. The pilot sites also successfully involved judges, state attorneys, and public defenders, as well as youth and their families.
  • Preliminary results indicate that the Redirection pilots are as effective as residential programs in reducing subsequent arrests and operate at a considerably lower cost. The initial pilot counties, Dade, Broward, and Escambia, experienced a significantly greater reduction in commitments for non-law violations of probation than other counties. Redirection appears to have achieved a $2 million cost savings for the state in its first year of operation.
  • While youth on electronic monitoring were somewhat less likely to commit a new crime while they were being monitored, this effect was not statistically significant.
  • Judges and prosecutors in the original pilot counties recommend expanding the Redirection eligibility criteria to include appropriate youth who are being committed to residential programs for misdemeanors and some violent offenses. If 245 additional youth were diverted from residential commitment to Redirection, the state could save an additional $2.3 million.


Related Reports
  1. Redirection Saves $51.2 Million and Continues to Reduce Recidivism
    Report 10-38 April 2010
  2. Redirection Saves $36.4 Million and Avoids $5.2 Million in Recommitment and Prison Costs
    Report 09-27 May 2009
  3. Redirection Program Achieves Lower Recidivism and a $14.4-Million Cost Savings Compared to DJJ Commitment
    Report 08-41 June 2008
  4. Redirection Pilots Meet and Exceed Residential Commitment Outcomes; $5.8 Million Saved
    Report 07-10 February 2007
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
criminal justice, juvenile justice, crime, evidence based treatment, juvenile justice, community based delinquency treatment, rearrests, multisystemic therapy, MST, functional family therapy, FFT, outcome evaluation, alternatives to residential commitment, corrections, sexually violent predators, sex offenders, treatment, ryce act, martin, liberty, mentally ill, desoto, monitoring, evaluation