The findings provide a portrait of the characteristics, backgrounds, and expectations of youth in custody. SYRP results provide information about the national population of youth in placement that is not available through any other source. SYRP can inform program and policy by providing details about the kinds of offenders in custody. Further analyses of the SYRP data can answer a wide range of questions about youth's offense patterns: if certain combinations of offenses typically occur together; the types of offenses that the same youth tend to commit; how the offenses that gang members report differ from the offenses that other youth report; whether gang members have different offense profiles than other youth; if gang members are more likely to report using a weapon, injuring their victims, having accomplices, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they committed their current offenses; how youth's current offenses relate to their family situations; the current offenses of youth who were living with two parents when they entered custody, and if these offenses differ from the offenses of youth who were living with a single parent or with no parent; what kinds of offenses youth commit if they have children of their own or are expecting a child; if different types of offenders have different expectations about their future education or employment or about their future offending and sanctions; and if violent offenders are less positive about their future education or employment, or if they are more skeptical about the workings of the justice system. Several findings that have implications for reducing recidivism and enhancing positive outcomes are also discussed. Tables, figure, endnotes, and references
Youth's Characteristics and Backgrounds: Findings from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement
NCJ Number
227730
Date Published
December 2010
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This bulletin reports on the first national Survey of Youth in Residential Placement (SYRP), covering its development and design and providing detailed information on youths in custody.
Abstract