NCJ Number
213833
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 43 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 148-168
Date Published
May 2006
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study compared the costs and benefits of an intensive treatment program for unmanageable juvenile delinquent boys to treatment as usual (TAU) in a secure corrections facility.
Abstract
Results indicated that the higher initial costs of the intensive treatment program were offset by the improved treatment progress and lower recidivism rates observed for the treatment participants. Overall, the treatment group had a cost-benefit ratio of over 7 to 1 in comparison to the TAU group. The analysis revealed that the intensive treatment program yielded a conservative net return of $43,375 per participant, which is comparable to other programs designed to treat juvenile offenders. An important finding in terms of its implication for policy was the finding that the added costs of providing intensive treatment were offset by improved institutional adjustment and early release. While more research is certainly warranted, the results suggest that budgeting money for intensive juvenile treatment programs would be a wise investment. Research methods involved matching an intensive treatment group of 101 boys to a matched group of 101 boys who received treatment as usual in a secure juvenile facility. Data under examination included the number and type of criminal charges during a follow-up period ranging from 14 to 92 months. The criminal justice processing costs for each offense was calculated in 2001 dollars, including the cost of treatment in both types of programs and the costs of arrest, prosecution, and defense. Tables, references