1. An examination of recidivism outcomes for a novel prosecutor-led gun diversion program.
- Author
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Epperson, Matthew W., Garthe, Rachel C., Lee, Hannah, and Hawken, Angela
- Subjects
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RECIDIVISM , *SHOOTINGS (Crime) , *CRIME , *VIOLENCE prevention , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *PUBLIC safety , *FIREARMS - Abstract
To examine the effects of a novel prosecutor-led gun diversion program (PLGDP) on criminal recidivism outcomes, with a focus on charges that impact public safety. We employed a quasi-experimental design comparing 76 participants from a PLGDP in Minneapolis, MN with 93 individuals from a comparison group. Participants joined the program between 2017 and 2019, and logistic regression analyses focused on the two-year period following the illegal gun possession offense. Outcomes included arrest and conviction for any criminal offense and offenses involving a weapon or violence. PLGDP participants as a whole demonstrated lower odds of a conviction in the two-year follow period compared to individuals in the comparison group. Program graduates had significantly lower odds of a violent or weapons-related offense compared to those in the comparison group, while terminated program participants demonstrated higher odds of charges and convictions. Findings demonstrate that a PLGDP can address the racially disparate punishment of illegal gun possession and can be implemented without detrimental effects on public safety. PLGDPs represent a promising new component to broader gun violence prevention efforts. • This is the first recidivism outcomes study of a prosecutor-led gun diversion program – Pathway. • Pathway participants demonstrated lower odds of conviction than a comparison group. • Pathway graduates had lower odds of a "violent" offense than a comparison group. • Findings suggest that Pathway's implementation did not compromise public safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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