LAW ENFORCEMENT|

A Multi-Site Evaluation of Law Enforcement Deflection in the United States

This report describes findings from a multi-site evaluation of law enforcement deflection. The authors describe how six programs were implemented and identify key program facilitators and barriers. The authors conducted outcome analyses of two programs which included the A Way Out Program in Lake County, Illinois.

Melissa Labriola, Samuel Peterson, Jirka Taylor, Danielle Sobol, Jessica Reichert, John Ross, Jac Charlier and Sophia Juarez|2023-02-21|

The research described in this report was prepared for the National Institute of Justice and conducted in the Justice Policy Program within RAND Social and Economic Well-Being. To download this publication for free go to: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2491-1.html

Research Questions

How have the deflection programs been implemented and viewed by key stakeholders?
What factors have facilitated, or hindered, implementation of programs and attainment of objectives?
What are the most pressing practical considerations facing deflection programs and communities they serve?
What is the impact of program adoption on county overdose and crime rates?

Key Findings

U.S. deflection programs tended to gradually incorporate additional pathways; move toward greater complexity and breadth of service provision; and increase professionalization of deflection (e.g., dedicated staff, creation of best practices).
Stakeholder feedback suggested positive results for communities.
Program barriers included stigma, police distrust, treatment capacity, and funding.
Outcomes for one site (A Way Out Program in Lake County, Illinois) indicated reduced fatal and non-fatal overdoses and property crime arrests.

About the authors

Melissa Labriola is a Senior Research Scientist at the RAND Corporation.

Samuel Peterson is a Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation.

Jirka Taylor is a Policy Analyst at the RAND Corporation.

Danielle Sobol is and Assistant Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation.

Jessica Reichert is a Research Manager at ICJIA.

John Ross is Director of Research and Evaluation at TASC's Center for Health and Justice.

Jac Charlier is Executive Director of TASC's Center for Health and Justice.

Sophia Juarez is Research & Evaluation Coordinator at TASC's Center for Health and Justice.

Funding acknowledgment

This research was supported by Grant #2019-75-CX-0011, awarded to the RAND Corporation (with subawards to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority [ICJIA] and TASC’s Center for Health and Justice [CHJ]) by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of RAND, ICJIA, TASC CHJ, or the U.S. Department of Justice.

Suggested citation

Labriola, M. M., Peterson, S., Taylor, J., Sobol, D., Reichert, J., Ross, J., Charlier, J., & Juarez, S. (2023). A multi-site evaluation of law enforcement deflection in the united states. RAND Corporation.

Table of contents

A Multi-Site Evaluation of Law Enforcement Deflection in the United States

Research Questions

Key Findings