Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD): Program effects on recidivism outcomes

• Published in: Evaluation and program planning Vol. 64; pp. 49 - 56
• Main Authors: Collins, Susan E., Lonczak, Heather S., Clifasefi, Seema L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Arrests; Case management; Continental Population Groups; Criminal justice; Criminal justice system; Criminals; Drug addiction; Drug offenses; Drug use; Felony; Female; Harm reduction; Humans; Imprisonment; Law enforcement; Law Enforcement - methods; Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion; Male; Middle Aged; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Program Evaluation; Prosecutions; Prostitution; Prostitution offenses; Recidivism; Recidivism - prevention & control; Sex Work - legislation & jurisprudence; Social Work - organization & administration; Street Drugs - legislation & jurisprudence; United States > US; Seattle Washington; Harm reduction; Drug offenses; Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion; Prostitution offenses; Recidivism
• ISSN: 0149-7189; 1873-7870
• DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.05.008

•LEAD is a jail diversion program for persons suspected of low-level drug and prostitution offenses.•Compared to the system as usual, LEAD is associated with 60% lower odds of arrest and 39% lower odds of felony charges.•Findings suggest diverting offenders to supportive services reduces recidivism. Drug users and dealers frequently cycle through the criminal justice system in what is sometimes referred to as a “revolving door.” Arrest, incarceration and prosecution have not deterred this recidivism. Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program was established to divert these individuals to case management and supportive services instead of jail and prosecution. A nonrandomized controlled evaluation was conducted to examine LEAD effects on criminal recidivism (i.e., arrests, criminal charges). The sample included 318 people suspected of low-level drug and prostitution activity in downtown Seattle: 203 received LEAD, and 115 experienced the system-as-usual control condition. Analyses were conducted using logistic generalized estimating equation models over both the shorter term (i.e., six months prior and subsequent to evaluation entry) and longer term (i.e., two years prior to the LEAD start date through July 2014). Compared to controls, LEAD participants had 60% lower odds of arrest during the six months subsequent to evaluation entry; and both a 58% lower odds of arrest and 39% lower odds of being charged with a felony over the longer term. These statistically significant differences in arrests and felony charges for LEAD versus control participants indicated positive effects of the LEAD program on recidivism.