NCJ Number
180966
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 251-276
Date Published
September 1999
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article describes efforts to develop an empirically derived, inductive typology of juvenile delinquents that can be used in applied settings to facilitate a better understanding of program outcomes and enable placement authorities to better predict program effectiveness.
Abstract
The data analyzed came from an outcome-based information system, ProDES, that has been operational for more than 4 years in Philadelphia. Unlike many such databases, ProDES was jointly designed by researchers and practitioners to serve a large system of community and institutional programs. Included among the outcome measures were four standardized, self-reported personality scales that comprise 14 subscales and formed the basis of the typology. The article describes methods used to construct the typology, the substance of the classification system and its potential for program evaluation. The article considers development of the juvenile typology only the beginning of the evaluative process. Controlling for the type of juvenile will contribute to achieving the ultimate goal of developing a more finely tuned understanding of the questions surrounding differential treatment. Notes, tables, figures, references