Issues In Drug Offender Diversion: A Review of the Court Diversion Service in Western Australia

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Abstract
This article examines the implementation and operation of a bail programme introduced to divert drug using offenders from prison in Perth, Western Australia. Changes in the number, type and source of offenders referred to the programme are described, as are the perceptions of programme staff, judges, magistrates, corrections officers and legal workers. Although the programme was generally regarded as useful, a number of issues requiring attention were identified. It was concluded that there is a need for restatement of procedural guidelines and for an evaluation of the outcomes of the programme in terms of its originally stated aims of diverting drug using offenders from imprisonment.