An exploration of the Garda Diversion Programme through the eyes of the participant.

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore the Garda Diversion Programmes and Garda Youth Diversion Projects with participants who have been involved in the programme. The main aim of this research is to gain a clear view of the participants' experiences of the programmeThe existing body of research provided the researcher with the knowledge of past studies and research. However, there was a lack of research in the area of participants experiences in the Garda diversion programmes in Ireland. The researcher used both international and national research to help conduct this research.The study was conducted using a qualitative empirical method in the form of semi-structured interviews. The researcher interviewed five participants aged between twenty-one and twenty-four who had been involved in the programme when they were under eighteen. The semi-structured interviews explored the participants' experiences of the Garda diversion programme. The interviews looked at five different topics. These included the formulation of the plan, the project, the staff, feelings and success of the programme. These five topics allowed the researcher to gain a more in-depth look at the diversion programmes.The findings indicated that all of the participants seemed to have a positive experience while being involved in the programmes. Under the five different headings, many topics were explored. The formulation of the plan was considered further under the topics of the involvement of the plan, participants' interest in the plan, expressing their views and opinions, did they have a voice and were they happy with the plan that was out in place. The findings of this topic suggest that the plan of the programme was not explained thoroughly to the young people when they first started the programme. Findings from this topic also show that the young people all felt they could express their views and opinions and they all felt listened to throughout their involvement in the programme. Next, the research looked at the second heading which looked at the project that the young people were involved. Topics within this heading looked at what the participants thought the projects was, what they would change about the project and if they liked or disliked the project. Findings from this area seem to suggest that all participants' believed the programme was there to divert them from trouble. The findings also suggest that the programme was a very positive experience for most participants as they explained that they enjoyed going to the programme. Some of the participants expressed that there was a need for weekend services as they felt this would further help young people to stay out of trouble. The third heading looked at the area of staff professionalism, and staff relationships topics that are covered within this heading included the professionalism of the staff and whether they were trained efficiently, did the participant build positive relationships with staff and did the staff have contact with the participants' families. The findings show that the participants believed that the staff were all trained sufficiently to work in this line of work. The study also found that all participants built up a positive relationship with at least one member of staff and this helped them enjoy the programme more. Nearly all of the participants reported that the staff had regular contact with their families and this allowed the families to be involved with the young person's progress throughout the programme.The fourth heading looked at feelings that the young person expressed while involved in the programme. Areas that were discussed within this heading were how the participants felt to be involved in the programme and whether they ever experienced feelings such as sadness, disappointment, embarrassment or guilt. The research found that there was no evidence to show that participants ever felt any of these feelings while involved in the programme. There was a mixed range of emotions when it came to leaving the programme as some of the participants enjoyed the process so much they felt sad that it was over. Finally, the last heading looked at the success if any from the participants. Areas that were covered included whether the programme had helped them, whether they had been involved in crime since leaving the programme and finally what life has been like since the programme. Results show that the programme has had a positive impact on all of the participant's lives as none of the participants had been involved in any further crimes once the programme was completed. The majority of the participants are also now working or partaking in a course.