Responding to juvenile crime: lessons learned

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Policy

Background:

• Debates persist regarding effective treatments for young offenders despite diversified dispositional options.
• Past research (late 1970s) suggested "nothing worked" in juvenile corrections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evaluations of juvenile corrections alternatives.
• To assess the effectiveness of various programs in reducing recidivism among young offenders.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of over 400 evaluations of juvenile programs (Lipsey, 1992).
• Review of existing evaluations of diverse juvenile corrections alternatives.
• Analysis of recent evaluations of boot camp programs for juvenile offenders.

Main Results:

• Lipsey's meta-analysis reported an average 10% improvement in recidivism rates across evaluated programs.
• Privately run, community-based programs demonstrated significant advantages over large custodial institutions.
• Effective community programs feature high intensity, duration, multiple intervention modes, and structure; nonresidential, family-involved programs are examples.
• Boot camps showed mixed results: four had no effect, one increased recidivism, and three showed some improvement.
• Probation and diversion are ineffective for high-risk youths.

Conclusions:

• Juvenile corrections have evolved, with evidence of program effectiveness.
• Privately operated, intensive, community-based programs are superior to traditional institutions.
• Juvenile courts require diverse dispositional options, monitoring capabilities, and placement flexibility for optimal outcomes.