Thesis on "Juvenile Recidivism"

Thesis 12 pages (3585 words) Sources: 12

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Juvenile Recidivism

WHITHER GOEST?

Recidivism means relapse into criminal behavior, often after receiving sanction or intervention for a previous offense or crime (OJP, 2010). Juvenile offenders are 18 years old or younger. Sanctions are punishments imposed by federal, State or local authorities in the form of fines, community supervision and imprisonment. Interventions are in the form of drug rehabilitation, employment training and cognitive therapies. Juvenile recidivism means a person 18 years old or younger who commits the same crime after being punished or receiving intervention. Washington courts reported in 2005 (Sentencing Guidelines Commission, 2008) that 76% of juvenile offenders were recidivists. Furthermore, data on juvenile recidivism are available only from 20 States. Approaches to the problem have so far not been very effective.

Method

This study used the descriptive-normative method of research in recording, describing, interpreting, analyzing and comparing data from updated and authoritative pertinent sources.

Review of Literature

Recidivism is a new criminal referral, alleging one or more offenses (OYA, 2004). Up to 2002, recidivism was measured according to criminal offense level entered as a single incident and documented in a law enforcement referral. Every referral with at least one criminal offense was considered criminal and entered into the recidivist records. The 2004 report defined a chronic juvenile offender as one with 3 or more subsequent referrals within the next 12 months. Data showed that only a small group of juvenile offenders were new referrals (OYA).

Most antisocial behavior peaks during adolescence, when offending behavior often develops (Goliath, 2004). Offending behavior is considered the most important precursor of criminal behavior in adulthood (Farrington, 1995 & Robbins, 1966 as qtd in Goliath).

Identifying the causes or contributing factors to offending behavior is necessary for reducing criminality. The identification of the theoretical basis for predicting offending behavior is, thus, necessary in creating effective interventions or solutions to this social problem. These are the criminal propensity, social control and social learning theories. Criminal propensity states that the inclination to commit offenses and crimes starts early in life and remains stable throughout life. Social control points to social factors over individual stability as the source of criminal acts. These factors include the quality of family relationships, commitment to school and work, and engagement in structured recreation. Studies showed the applicability of these first two theories among juvenile offenders. Social learning, on the other hand, includes both individual and social factors (Andrews & Bonta, 1998 and Bandura, 1977 as qtd in goliath). Social learning theory states that criminal behavior depends on available rewards and the costs or consequences of the behavior. Perception of rewards depends on both individual and social factors. Individual factors include learning and attitudes towards antisocial behavior. Social factors include reward and punishment from family and peers (Goliath).

A review of 84 studies on the predictors of juvenile recidivism showed evidence of the applicability of the social learning theory (Goliath, 2004). These studies were gathered from the U.S., Canada, Australia, UK and Sweden. The respondents were 15.7 years old on the average. Approximately half of them were non-white and male at 88%. The average rate of recidivism was higher among those released from custody at 60% than those tried in court at their first appearance at 41%. Juvenile recidivists were more likely to commit property offenses than violent or sexual crimes, whatever their earlier offenses. On the whole, antisocial peers and antisocial attitudes occurred consistently in most of the respondents. Those with more antisocial attitudes and deviant peers were more likely to repeat the offense than those with less of these attitudes and more conformist peers. Results from family deviance and family contingencies were less consistent predictors of recidivism (Goliath).

Some statistics show that the incidence of teen-age crime is not an increasing social problem, as commonly believed (Huston, 2008). Juvenile arrests in the Western suburbs account for only a small fraction in every town. The Illinois State Police reported less than one arrest every other month. They compile juvenile arrests for domestic violence, crimes against other young people, and attacks against school authorities. Juvenile arrests at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center went down from 4,893 in 2002 to 4,473 in 2003. Illinois had the highest incidence in the U.S. In 2006 at 1,029 arrests for ever 100,000 juveniles. This compares with the national rate of 315, as recorded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The issue is the approach to justice in the case of juvenile offenders. Juvenile courts are considered "miniature-adult" courts. Supervisor Tom Bilyk of the Cook County State's Attorney juvenile justice bureau said that juvenile crime is handled according to the harm inflicted on the community more than the amount of punishment imposed. It is a more open-minded approach shown to young offenders. The people in the community and the law are more willing to give them a chance to change rather than impose harsh punishments. They provide more programs to prevent the young offenders from proceeding towards criminality and thus keep their cases out of court (Huston).

National crime incidence increased only slightly at 2% in 2008 (Rhyne et al., 2008).

In the case of Multnomah County in Portland, Oregon, the drop was 11% compared with that of 2006. A research team reviewed information on juvenile offenders in the County from the Juvenile Justice Information System. The review showed decreases in person offenses by 11%, assaults by 16%, sex offenses by 5%, and drug offenses by 31%. It also showed increases in homicide by 167%, robberies by 12%, and weapons offenses by 18%. The percentage of juvenile offenders in the overall juvenile population has remained largely constant and continues to fall to its lowest level since 2000 at 33%. Chronic juvenile offenders were typically African-American and over-represented among recidivists at 52%. They also continue to be younger with 58% of them at age 15 or younger. Records showed an increase in non-violent offenses among Hispanic and African-American youth and a decrease among Hispanic youth for violent offenses. The rate of violent offenses among both white and African-American youth increased in the County. Overall findings of the research pointed to the disproportionate representation of African-American youth in the juvenile offenders' population, specifically recidivists. This hinted at conditions, which create the disparity and must be unraveled to provide direction for effective intervention programs (Rhyne et al.).

A survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on 108,580 released prisoners between 1983 and 1994 revealed that 63% of them were re-arrested within 3 years (OJP, 2010). These prisoners came from 11 States. Of their total number, 47 were convicted of a new crime and 41% were jailed again. Of the almost 300,000 released prisoners in 15 States in 1994, 68% were re-arrested within3 years, 47% convicted of a new crime, and 23% were reconvicted and returned to jail. Of these released prisoners in 1994, 52% were back in jail for a new crime of a parole violation within 3 years from release. Post-prison recidivism is associated with arrest history. Those with one previous arrest, 41% were re-arrested. But those with more than 15 previous arrests had higher recidivism rates at 82%. The latter ones comprised 18% of all released prisoners (OJP).

A comprehensive analysis of juvenile recidivism in Pennsylvania showed that it was highest in urban counties and lowest in rural counties (Kalist & Lee, 2009). Pennsylvania is among the few States, which do not report on juvenile recidivism. The investigation was conducted among 190,000 previously convicted juveniles between 1997 and 2000. It was aimed at measuring the success of intervention programs and to determine factors leading to recidivism. Young recidivists in the rural areas were mostly male blacks who had previous violations and convictions. They recommitted new crimes 3 to 30% longer than those in urban counties (Kalist & Lee).

This analysis discovered the factors linked with increased recidivism among young offenders (Kalist & Lee, 2009). These were living in an urban county, male gender, Hispanic race, living with a single mother, at least one deceased parent, a previous felony and attending alternative education course. The study also found that increased police presence tended to slightly discourage and decrease recidivism. Another discovery was that juveniles whose family had a higher per capita income somewhat decreased recidivism. Proportionately, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program observed that the socio-economic status of a county influenced the increase or decrease of recidivism (Kalist & Lee).

The researchers suggested that Pennsylvania authorities should record juvenile recidivism formally and regularly (Kalist & Lee, 2009). Reports should cover recidivism rates from specific placement settings, like group homes, detention facilities, drug and alcohol treatment programs and outward-bound type of programs. The research also invited attention to young offenders living with single mothers or with at least one deceased parent, and more frequent contact with probation officers. It suggested closer court supervision towards juveniles in single-parent families and connecting juvenile records with adult records. The connection between juvenile and adult records can hint at probable crimes juveniles will commit and the programs,… READ MORE

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