Drug diversion schemes cut reoffending rates more than prosecution, study says | TheBriefWire
Drug diversion schemes cut reoffending rates more than prosecution, study says
Published 13 June 2026 ยท science
Exclusive: Research in England shows people a third less likely to reoffend under decriminalisation-style schemes Drug diversion schemes led by police that steer people away
Exclusive: Research in England shows people a third less likely to reoffend under decriminalisation-style schemes Drug diversion schemes led by police that steer people away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and education services are significantly more effective in reducing reoffending than prosecution, according to a new analysis. Researchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years, finding that people whose cases were dealt with through decriminalisation-style diversion schemes were a third less likely to reoffend than similar individuals prosecuted for drug possession. Continue reading...
Published: June 13, 2026 โข 1:30 PM IST ยท Updated: June 13, 2026 โข 2:09 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
Exclusive: Research in England shows people a third less likely to reoffend under decriminalisation-style schemes Drug diversion schemes led by police that steer people away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and education services are significantly more effective in reducing reoffending than prosecution, according to a new analysis.
Researchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years, finding that people whose cases were dealt with through decriminalisation-style diversion schemes were a third less likely to reoffend than similar individuals prosecuted for drug possession.