Australia devises scheme to keep 1st-time offenders out of jail

Western Australian state police will offer first-time criminals the chance to avoid charges by a new initiative.

The project, called The Turning Point, will offer the first- time offenders the option to escape criminal charges if they agree to sign a four-month behavior agreement.

The agreement will be offered to offenders who commit low-level crimes, such as possession of drugs or weapons, vehicle theft, trespass or disorderly conduct.

If the program is successful, it will be rolled out across the rest of the state after 12 months, with scope to encourage other states to enact a similar program. Endi