Pre-Trial Diversion Program

The Douglas County Georgia District Attorney’s Office proposes to expand its Felony Pre-trial Diversion Programs.  At its core, the program focuses on offender accountability, victim and community restoration, and imparting life skills to participants. The Pre-trial Diversion Program is divided into two tracks by age group with a Young Adult Track for ages 17-24 and a General Track for ages 25 and older.  Developed for non-violent offenders with minimal criminal history, each of the tracks holds offenders accountable for their actions while imparting necessary life skills that serve to reduce recidivism.  Upon successful completion of Pre-trial Diversion, the offender’s charges are dismissed and his or her criminal record is restricted.  The program duration on average is from 9-12 months.

Activities include courses that address the specific crime drivers of the offenders and takes a proactive approach to recidivism.  For example, anger management, family violence intervention programs, and parenting courses are commonplace and required where appropriate.  Additional activities include but are not limited to the following life skills modules:  Career Readiness and Employability; Professionalism and Workplace Etiquette; Conflict Resolution, Values Clarification and Decision-making; and Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being.  Moreover, participants have access to skilled-trade apprenticeships and career training for individuals who are seeking to lead positive, productive lives. Program participants are required to pay restitution to their victims in full while participating in the program. 

This holistic approach to criminal justice not only serves to equip the participants with life skills, but it also simultaneously makes crime victims whole.  By extension, members of the community not only have a greater feeling of safety, but the amount of crime is reduced because the program increases the number of productive individuals with adequate life skills. Expected outcomes at the next phase of the project would increase the number of individuals receiving career training, and develop a module that makes technical college courses, technical school certifications, and technical college degrees available to participants. By addressing the specific challenges that brought the offender to the system, imparting life skills, and ensuring that victims are made whole, the program utilizes a holistic approach that leads to lower crime rates and reduce the number of repeat offenders.