Diversion programs have been acknowledged for their effects in preventing the labeling of juvenile offenders and reducing their recidivism rate. Korea has also shown interest, and many researches have been conducted on related topics, such as police o ...
Diversion programs have been acknowledged for their effects in preventing the labeling of juvenile offenders and reducing their recidivism rate. Korea has also shown interest, and many researches have been conducted on related topics, such as police officers introducing diversion programs and its legal basis. However, these researches focused too much on studying the legal system for the introduction of the diversion programs. Analysis, evaluation, etc. of the program after its application was low.
Accordingly, this research has the purpose of verifying the operation of police guidance programs, which is one type of the diversion program, based on experience and presenting a development plan.
In order to fulfill the main task of this research, which is evaluating the operation process of police guidance programs, we conducted a survey targeting officers in action who are in charge of guidance programs. For sampling, we used a fixed questionnaire and divided the country into 6 regions and randomly selected police stations that were conducting their own guidance programs. Finally, 152 officers in charge of programs at their station were selected and analyzed.
The distinctive data that appeared in the analysis results are as follows:
First, when looking into the program status, there were more guidance programs created by the police than programs assigned by other organizations. Also, school violence (violence) took large part in the category of crimes and delinquencies, and educations for reducing recidivism rates were the major services provided.
Second, when looking into the expected results of the programs, police officers answered that the prevention of second convictions will have the largest effect among the expected results. Results are expected in the order of positive change, trust in police officers, understanding the victim, program satisfaction, and returning to school life.
Third, the result of evaluating the operation process of the programs revealed that the officers in charge of the guidance programs thought there was not enough manpower and financial support from the country and that administrative support and cooperation from the police force was also short in running the programs.
Fourth, the part that needed improvement, related to the operation of programs, was financial support from the country. Sustainability and systemization of the program, organization of related laws and regulations, and improvement plans for the participation and response of programs were the next urgent matters.
Fifth, it was possible to see that officers in action think the facilities and environmental conditions, manpower, professionalism of the officer, systemization, and follow-up management affect the operation results of guidance programs.