Diversion & Deflection
Diversion and Deflection is an important option for keeping people out of the carceral system. One type of this approach is Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD). Depending on the infraction, individuals may be eligible for diversion into a treatment program instead of going to prison or jail. Below are some resources to help you understand and implement successful Diversion and Deflection programs.
General Resources
- Overview of NC Justice System Diversion Programs (NC DHHS Injury and Violence Prevention Branch)
- Directory of Substance Use-Related Pre- and Post-Arrest Diversion Programs in North Carolina, by County (2022)
- National Council of Mental Wellbeing: Deflection and Pre-arrest Diversion Tools and Resources, includes program overviews, harm reduction approaches, considerations for rural areas and sample job descriptions
Examples from North Carolina-led projects
- Environmental Scan of Substance Use related Pre and Post Arrest Diversion Programs in North Carolina, 2022 (Associated Infographic)
- North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice: Sample Policy Document: Use of Force
- North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice: 2023 Year-End Report
LEAD Program Evaluation Outcomes
- Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD): A Multi-site evaluation of North Carolina LEAD programs (Duke Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences)
- North Carolina LEAD Program Evaluation Summary (Duke Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences)
- Recommendations for LEAD program data tracking for evaluation (Duke Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences)
- Advancing LEAD in North Carolina Policy Brief (Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law)