Rediversion in two postbooking jail diversion programs in Florida.
OBJECTIVE
Patterns of rediversion in two postbooking jail diversion programs in Florida were examined to better understand the extent to which diversion programs served repeating clients. Rediversion occurs when a former or current diversion program participant is booked into jail on a new charge and diverted once again through the same diversion program.


METHODS
Data from 18 months of consecutive entries into the Hillsborough County jail diversion program (N = 336) and Broward County mental health court (N = 800) were examined.


RESULTS
Similar rediversion patterns were observed for the two diversion programs. About one-fifth of those who were diverted during the 18-month study period were rediverted at least once. Nearly half of those who experienced rediversion did so within 90 days of their initial diversion. Although fewer than 6 percent were rediverted two or more times, these individuals accounted for a disproportionately large number of overall diversions and were rediverted more quickly than those with only one rediversion.


CONCLUSIONS
The diversion programs examined here appear to be experiencing a level of repeating clients similar to that observed in other pathways for accessing mental health treatment.
Boccaccini
Marcus T
MT
Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA.
Christy
Annette
A
Poythress
Norman
N
Kershaw
David
D
D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation