Mass. program aims to rehabilitate, not incarcerate, youth offenders

The number of young people entering Massachusetts' juvenile detention system rose by 14% in 2023, according to data from the state Office of the Child Advocate. A diversion program that gives kids support instead of detention hopes to change that trend.

Early data suggests diversion has proven effective at reducing the chances that young people between the ages of 12 and 18 will offend again, and the commonwealth is expanding the program to the Cape and Islands and Bristol County as a result.

Melissa Threadgill, senior director of policy and implementation at the Office of the Child Advocate, joins Radio Boston to discuss diversion.