NCJ Number
114769
Date Published
1987
Length
49 pages
Annotation
This study combined Florida computerized criminal history records with delinquency and disposition data to examine outcomes over a 1-year period for 1,664 children released from State delinquency commitment programs in 1984.
Abstract
During the time, 44.2 percent of children received judicial sanctions ranging from adult prison commitment to fines for minor offenses. Of these recidivists, 25.9 percent were sentenced to adult or juvenile commitment. Recidivism rates were considerably higher for males, nonwhites, those who had committed felony property offenses, and those with prior commitments. Felony offenders with prior commitments had a recidivism rate of 58.9 percent. Recidivism rates (33 percent) were lowest for juveniles released from two nonresidential commitment programs -- Associated Marine Institutes and TRY Centers. Six other types of community-based commitment programs had recidivism rates of about 40 percent, five programs had rates close to 50 percent, and training schools had rates of 60 percent. An examination of proportion of first-time commitments, program completion rates, cost per case, and 1-year recidivism indicates that the San Antonio Boys School had the highest cost-effectiveness. Two wilderness type programs for less serious offenders showed the next highest cost effectiveness, followed by three nonresidential commitment programs. Group treatment homes showed the lowest overall cost-effectiveness. Results show that there are program alternatives for dealing effectively with juvenile offenders, even serious offenders, in the community. Program descriptions are appended. 13 tables.