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Survey of Youth in Residential Placement: Youth Characteristics and Backgrounds

NCJ Number
250753
Author(s)
Andrea J. Sedlak; Carol Bruce
Date Published
May 2016
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report, the second in the series, presents findings from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement (SYRP), which collected data on the characteristics of youth in placement, including their demographic characteristics, current and prior offenses, current disposition, family and educational backgrounds, and expectations for the future.
Abstract
The findings are based on interviews with a nationally representative sample of 7,073 youth in 2003, using audio-computer-assisted self-interviews. The SYRP sample was drawn from the full population of State and local facilities identified by the "Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement and Juvenile Residential Facility Census" surveys. SYRP findings can inform program and policy by providing details on the kinds of offenders in placement. Among the issues informed by the SYRP data are the types of offenses the same youth tend to commit; whether gang members have different offense profiles from other delinquent youth; the current offenses of youth who were living with two parents when they entered placement compared with the offenses of youth living with a single parent or no parent; the kinds of offenses youth commit if they have children of their own or are expecting a child; and whether different types of offenders have different expectations about their future education or employment. 11 tables, 5 figures, and 49 references