NCJ Number
230148
Date Published
January 2010
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study examined the characteristics of young male domestic violence (DV) offenders.
Abstract
Results suggest that early intervention in the criminal justice system for young male DV offenders is unlikely to be effective. There is a lack of evidence that the penalties imposed by the criminal justice system have a deterrent effect on theses offenders. Additionally, it is not clear whether the lower pretrial re-arrest rate among those released on bail is an effect of bail, or is merely associated with the greater financial resources of those released on bail. Even if bail could reduce pretrial re-arrest, it is unlikely that judges would set bail more often in DV cases, for a variety of reasons. The most promising possibility for early intervention identified the protective effect of employment and suggests that employment provides young men with a tie to the community that reduces the likelihood of pretrial re-arrest, and may have benefits that continue beyond the pretrial period. Significant improvements in education, training, and employment opportunities may also reduce the long-term risk of recidivism among young male DV offenders. 11 figures