Comparing the Effects of Treatment on Female Juvenile Gang and Non-Gang Members

• NCJ Number: 223031
• Journal: Women & Criminal Justice Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: 2007 Pages: 1-15
• Author(s): Pamela J. Schram; Larry K. Gaines
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether participation in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) program significantly influenced the likelihood of a female juvenile offender/gang members being rearrested.

Abstract

The results revealed that two factors were significantly related to rearrests: female offenders not completing the MDT program (or traditional probation), and female offenders not living with their natural parent(s). The MDT program focused on incorporating risk factors to treat first-time female offenders; the program included both gang members and nongang members. These high risk youths experience problems in school, with their families, and peers, as well as potential dangers to their health and development. The MDT program was developed to help these youths by identifying juvenile offenders early in an effort to maximize the effectiveness of interventions and to deter these individuals from further delinquency. Coordinated teams of professionals from social services, mental health, public health, probation, and the community developed a treatment plan that would address the specific needs of this category of juveniles, as well as their families. The sample for the evaluation was randomly selected during the intake phase of the program. After any juvenile was identified, a risk assessment was administered, including a test for risk factors in four critical areas: family issues, school, substance abuse, and delinquency. Youths who received a positive score in at least three of the four categories were considered high risk. These youths were then referred to the MDT program for random assignment. If the individual was randomly assigned to the treatment group, the juvenile was referred by the intake officer to an MDT within his or her geographical area. If the juvenile was randomly assigned to the control group, she was referred to regular juvenile probation and processed through the system as standard manner. Of the 182 female juvenile offenders in the program sample, 107 were not rearrested either during the program for 6 months following completion of the program (or traditional probation). Tables, references, appendix