NCJ Number
218842
Date Published
May 2007
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report presents results of a survey of juvenile arson intervention programs throughout Australia in order to determine where they were located and how they operated.
Abstract
None of the programs examined had yet completed a formal evaluation, particularly in terms of long term recidivism, although internal evaluations reported by the agencies appeared promising, as identified in that their development was consistent with the literature in this area. Formal, independent evaluations of the programs are important to ensure that they are an appropriate response to the problem of juvenile firesetting, and are strongly encouraged. Given the close alignment of the development of many of the programs, jurisdictions could benefit from increased data sharing to inform the identification of good practice and future directions for all programs. Of all the crimes committed by young people, arson is potentially one of the most devastating. Intervening early in the developmental cycle with such at-risk individuals is consistent with a developmental approach to crime prevention. Juvenile arson intervention programs have operated in other countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom for many years. References