Effectiveness of the Justice Diversion Halt-intervention
- Conditions
- Criminal RecidivismDelinquencyAntisocial Behavior
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Halt-intervention
- Registration Number
- NCT06353204
- Lead Sponsor
- Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek en Datacentrum
- Brief Summary
In the current study the effectiveness of the Dutch diversion measure Halt is investigated using a randomized controlled trial. Because of the thorough scientific substantiation of the intervention theory, it is hypothesized that receiving the Halt-intervention will lead to less recidivism in comparison to receiving no intervention.
- Detailed Description
The Halt-intervention is a widely used Dutch diversion measure for youth (aged 12-17) who committed a minor offence. In the current study, it will be investigated whether the Halt-intervention is successful in reducing recidivism and in achieving the intervention goals. The effectiveness will be assessed using a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental condition in which participants will receive the halt intervention or to the control condition in which participants will not receive an intervention. Participants fill out three self-reported questionnaires over a time period of one year. With these questionnaires is it investigated whether the intervention is successful in achieving the different intervention goals (improving social skills, taking responsibility, correct wrongdoing or damage, improving conventional beliefs and improving support from the social network) and in achieving a reduction in recidivism. Furthermore, the adherence to children's rights in the practice of Halt is investigated. Lastly, two years after the first contact with Halt recidivism is assessed using official police and judicial records.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 1300
- Juveniles who have been referred to Halt after committing a minor offence that is eligible for the Halt-intervention.
- Juveniles between the ages of 12 and 18.
- Participants who do not speak Dutch or who do not speak Dutch fluently.
- Participants who have already participated in the study before.
- Participants who are participating in the following Halt-programs: 'Hack_right', 'Respect Online' or 'Sport en Spel'.
- Participants of whom it is suspected that their are serious concerns for their safety.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Experimental group: Halt-intervention Halt-intervention The experimental group will receive the Halt-intervention.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Criminal Recidivism based on official police records T3 (24 month follow up) Assessed using official Dutch Police registration records.
Truancy based on self-report T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) Assessed using the items from the Youth Delinquency Survey.
Criminal Recidivism based on self-report T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) Assessed using the items from the Youth Delinquency Survey.
Criminal Recidivism based on official judiciary records T3 (24 month follow up) Assessed using official Dutch judicial records.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Social skills T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) The degree in which pressure from friends to conduct delinquent behavior is experienced, assessed using a (self-developed) Dutch translation of the Peer Pressure Scale.
Minimizing/mislabeling T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) The degree in which the consequences of delinquent behavior are minimized, mislabeled or seen as acceptable, assessed using the How I Think (HIT) subscale 'Minimizing/Mislabeling' using the Dutch translation ('Hoe Ik Denk (HID)).
Taking responsibility for the consequences of behavior T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) The degree to which a sense of guilt, or responsibility, for the consequences for delinquent behaviour is experienced, assessed using the How I Think (HIT) subscale 'Blaming Others' using the Dutch translation ('Hoe Ik Denk' (HID)).
Experienced voluntariness T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up) The degree to which participants experience being forced to confess the crime they committed, assessed using a self-developed three-item scale. Participants are asked (1) whether they feel that they were forced to confess their crime, (2) whether they feel it is justified that they are referred to Halt and (3) whether they feel that it is their own choice to go to Halt. These items will be presented to participants in the experimental and control group during T0 and to participants in the experimental group during T1.
Access to legal assistance T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up) The degree to which participants have access to an attorney, assessed using two self-developed questions. Participants are asked whether they had the opportunity to (1) speak to a lawyer about their offence and had the opportunity to (2) speak to a lawyer about their referral to Halt. These items will be presented to participants in the experimental and control group during T0 and to participants in the experimental group during T1.
Knowledge of not obtaining a criminal record T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up) Whether or not participants are aware of the fact that completion of the Halt-intervention results in not obtaining a criminal record (yes/no). These items will be presented to participants in the experimental and control group during T0 and to participants in the experimental group during T1.
Experienced stigmatisation T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) The degree of experienced stigmatization, assessed using the four-item Stigmatisation subscale of the Re-integrative Shaming questionnaire.
Support from social network T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) The degree in which support from the social network is experienced and the degree in which respondents experience that they can ask their social network for help or advise (for example friends and family). Assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Scale is translated to Dutch by the WODC.
Experienced treatment T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up) Experienced treatment during the first contact with Halt (experimental and control group) and during the Halt-intervention (experimental group) by the Halt-employee, assessed using a seven-item scale.
The right to be informed T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up) The degree to which participants have the feeling that they are heard during the first contact with Halt (experimental and control group) and during the Halt-intervention (experimental group), assessed using a self-developed six-item scale.
Experienced re-integration T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) The degree of experienced re-integration, assessed using the four-item Re-integration subscale of the Re-integrative Shaming questionnaire.
Conventional beliefs T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) Self-reported degree of conventional beliefs, or attitude towards delinquency, assessed using the Dutch translation of the Attitudes Towards Delinquent Behavior (ATDS) questionnaire (translated by the WODC).
Correct wrongdoing T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up); T2 (12 month follow up) The degree in which the wrongdoing and/or damages are corrected, assessed using a self-developed scale consisting of four question about having a conversation with the victim, apologizing to the victim, paying for the victim's damages and correcting the damages made.
Experienced legitimacy T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up) Experienced legitimacy during the first contact with Halt (experimental and control group) and during the Halt-intervention (experimental group), assessed using a four-item scale.
Receiving adequate information T0 (baseline); T1 (100 days follow up) The degree to which the information given during the first contact with Halt (experimental and control group) and during the Halt-intervention (experimental group) about the Halt-intervention is experienced as adequate and comprehensible, assessed using a self-developed six-item scale.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
WODC
🇳🇱The Hague, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands