NCJ Number
223429
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice: An International Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2008 Pages: 262-269
Date Published
July 2008
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article identifies existing gender specific programs and examines their design and evidence of effect.
Abstract
The findings from the current study suggested that, in addition to strengthening program evaluation methodology, gender-specific programs (GSPs) for girls need to more meaningfully incorporate relevant theories and gender-specific risk and protective factors into their curriculum. The analysis indicates that the GSPs that have documented evidence of effectiveness might not appropriately target and provide services to adolescent females involved in the juvenile justice system. The article indicates that there have been few attempts to identify “what works” in the crime prevention and offender rehabilitation research that specifically addresses gender, despite the 1992 reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, which called for new research that would improve the processing and treatment of delinquent girls. This article reviews the relevant theoretical and empirical research that both informed the new legislation and took place in response to it. It includes an empirical study conducted to identify gender-specific programs (GSPs), to determine the extent to which GSPs utilize applicable research in their design and implementation, and to assess the evidence of GSPs' impact on targeted outcomes. The review found that despite a focus on program content and development in the literature reviewed, there was clearly a lack of information on program outcomes. The method used was a broad search of existing literature, which led to a specific review of 12 gender specific programs. Tables, appendix, references