NCT06353204

Effectiveness of the Justice Diversion Halt-intervention

The Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Diversion Measure Halt-intervention: a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1,300 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek en Datacentrum · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Years – 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Conditions

• Criminal Recidivism
• Delinquency
• Antisocial Behavior

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Halt-intervention	The Halt-intervention is a Dutch extrajudicial, or diversion, measure for minors (aged 12-17) who committed a minor offence. The intervention can consist of conversations with the Halt-employee, working or learning assignments to learn from the mistakes made or to work on certain skills, such as social skills, and/or apologizing to the victim.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-02-01
• Primary completion: 2027-07-01
• Completion: 2027-07-01
• First posted: 2024-04-09
• Last updated: 2025-03-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Netherlands