NCJ Number
176818
Date Published
1997
Length
200 pages
Annotation
This book examines the impact of closing one institution for juvenile offenders and offers a model for responding to problems of criminal behavior by juveniles.
Abstract
A study compared individuals released to the community early because of a facility closing with the situation that would have existed had they remained in the institution. Recidivism was slightly higher during the time individuals would have been incarcerated and after that time for those who were released. The book discusses these findings and a broader body of research on causation of delinquency and effective intervention in connection with arguments in support of a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to juvenile delinquency. While incarceration may be required for some small numbers of serious and violent juvenile offenders, it will be effective only if it is done in combination with early, effective prevention and intervention programs with high-risk youths, community programs for youths who are beginning to become involved in delinquency and residential programs with appropriate treatments and follow up for youths whose behavior and conditions suggest that they need residential placement. For community programs to be effective for emerging delinquents and for those released from institutions, they must be intense and have varying levels of restrictiveness and program content. Figures, tables, notes, appendix, references, index