NCJ Number
162896
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (1996) Pages: 241-253
Date Published
1996
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This was a study of recidivism among 792 graduates of the only boot camp in Arkansas during the period January 1, 1990, to May 30, 1993, with attention to recidivism differences between drug offenders and other offenders.
Abstract
Recidivism was operationalized with two measures in a 6- month follow-up period and in a 12-month follow-up period: the number of months in the community after graduation from boot camp and return to the Department of Correction after graduation from the boot camp (yes versus no). Several demographic predictors were examined with ordinary least squares regression and logistic regression. The primary predictors of recidivism were the type of offense and race at both follow-up periods, as well as the number of infractions at the boot camp at 12 months. None of the predictors, however, accounted for much variation in recidivism. In accordance with the findings of an earlier study (Shaw and MacKenzie, 1992), the results of this study show that drug offenders have a lower recidivism rate and are in the community longer than those who do not have drug-related offenses. Type of offense (drug offenses versus other offenses), although a significant predictor, however, is not a strong predictor of recidivism. Study limitations are discussed. 3 tables, 9 notes, and 63 references