Audit of the Worcester County District Attorney's Office (Middle District)

This is a state performance audit of the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016, with longer review periods for two programs.

“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office—Middle District (WCDA) for the period July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016.”

The auditor reviewed how the office ran three programs: young adult diversion, victim/witness assistance, and drug-forfeiture community grants.

“In this performance audit, we examined WCDA’s activities related to the administration of its Young Adult Diversion Program, Victim/Witness Assistance Program, and Drug Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program.”

The diversion program is meant to help young first-time offenders avoid a criminal record, which can affect school, work, and life opportunities.

“The underlying philosophy is that a youthful criminal record can have negative impacts on educational, employment, and societal development throughout life, and that certain youthful transgressions can be effectively redressed through education and service opportunities.”

For ordinary residents, the audit checks whether public programs are being run fairly, documented properly, and improved using evidence.

“As a result, WCDA’s ability to measure the results of the program and determine whether any changes to the program are necessary is limited.”

The main problem was not that the diversion program should end, but that the office needed stronger ways to measure results and prove participants completed requirements.

“While WCDA has created a program to accomplish this goal, we identified several ways in which its administration of this program could be strengthened.”

The auditor recommended that the office collect useful program data, keep written proof of completion, expand education options, and reduce barriers for participants.

“WCDA should identify the relevant data that could be used to assess the effectiveness of its Young Adult Diversion Program, establish a formal process to collect and evaluate this information, and use it to make any necessary program enhancements.”

The audit is significant because diversion programs can keep minor mistakes from becoming criminal records, but the public needs evidence that the program is consistent and effective.

“Finally, although WCDA believes that collecting and using program data would be at odds with the premise of the Young Adult Diversion Program, we believe this information could be used also to provide a level of transparency to program participants, the Legislature, and the public regarding the program’s effectiveness.”

Recidivism means someone commits another crime after completing the program; the audit says tracking this could help judge whether the program is working.

“WCDA could improve its program by establishing a process to identify, collect, and evaluate relevant Young Adult Diversion Program data, such as whether participants have reoffended after successfully completing the program.”