NCJ Number
197345
Date Published
December 1997
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This report discusses a proposal, made by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, for a common definition for recidivism and for development of standards for measuring the effectiveness of programs funded by the Community Juvenile Accountability Act, with the goal to improve the analysis, evaluation, and forecasting of sentencing and treatment alternatives in adult and juvenile justice.
Abstract
This report incorporates both the rationale and the descriptive detail behind the Institute's recommendations contained in a study conducted in 1997 for the Washington State Legislature. A common definition for recidivism was devised as a standard for measuring program success. Guidelines for research were created with the understanding that deviation may be required in particular situations. Two categories of recidivism are discussed: post-adjudication criminal behavior, defined as occurring while the offender is under confinement; and/or after the completion of a confinement order or a community supervision order has been given. Additional events of recidivism are discussed as they relate to out-of-State sources, and it is noted that arrests are to be reported separately from convictions as they do not represent a guilty determination by a court. Categories of recidivism offenses are identified, and recidivism timing and measurement standards are discussed. Effective cost-effective measurement of recidivism is reviewed, with the costly lack of common identifiers due to the inability to trace individuals across systems being noted. Standards for measuring the effectiveness of Community Juvenile Accountability Act Programs includes a discussion of legislative direction. The key elements of evaluation standards, including research design, program eligibility, sample size, program implementation integrity, and program effectiveness/effect size are covered in this article. Success factors and outcome measures are reviewed including the subjects of subsequent convictions and arrests, violations of community supervision teams, restitution to victims, and continued use of alcohol or controlled substances. Additional outcome standards reviewed include program costs, program implementation integrity, program intensity, completion of court-ordered fines, completion of court-ordered hours of community service, and changes in risk and protective factors.