Measurement of Time Intervals Between Arrests (From From Boy to Man, From Delinquency to Crime, P 59-67, 1987, Marvin E Wolfgang, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-109901)

• NCJ Number: 109902
• Author(s): S B Raskin
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study analyzed the recidivism experience of a 1945 Philadelphia cohort of 567 offenders through the first six offense transitions, using the 'survival' analysis by which biostatisticians measure the effects of treatment regimens on the survival times of seriously ill patients.

Abstract

The longest median time between arrests, 36.82 months, was obtained for the first transition; the shortest time, 8.31 months, was obtained for the fifth transition. The median 'survival' time of the last four transitions yielded a range of only 3.01 months, suggesting uniform 'survival' experiences for these transitions. Findings suggest a general principle that the transition level is of greater importance up to the third transition. This conclusion complements the analysis of Wolfgang, Figlio, and Sellin in the original report on the cohort data. At that time they advised that intervention programs would prove most effective if instituted after the third offense. Findings also indicate that intervention programs should focus on the first 6 months after a prior arrest, since this period has the heaviest concentration of delinquency. Suggestions are offered for future analyses. 4 tables and 2 figures. (Author summary modified)