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

Redirection Program Achieves Lower Recidivism and a $14.4-Million Cost Savings Compared to DJJ Commitment

Report 08-41, June 2008




Report Summary

Overall, the Redirection Program has operated at a lower cost than residential juvenile delinquency programs and has achieved better outcomes. Youth who successfully completed the Redirection Program were significantly less likely to be subsequently arrested for a felony or violent felony, adjudicated or convicted of any offense, or committed to a residential program or sentenced to prison after treatment than similar youth who successfully completed residential commitment. The Redirection Program has achieved $14.4-million cost savings for the state since it began three and one-half years ago. If the Legislature wishes to expand the program, options include

  • restoring funds cut in 2008 due to the state budget shortfall,
  • implementing intensive mental health services for some youth through the program,
  • using Redirection in underserved counties to provide transition and aftercare services and reduce length of stay in residential delinquency programs, and
  • using Redirection for juvenile sex offenders and/or gang members, which would be less expensive than residential commitment.


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. DJJ Should Use Evidence-Based Practices to Address Juvenile Gang Involvement
    Report 08-56 October 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 practice, juvenile offenders, delinquency, recidivism, outcome evaluation, Delinquency, recidivism, commitment, evidence-based programs, electronic monitoring, Multisystemic Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, therapist adherence, residential, community-based programs, alternatives to commitment, 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