NCJ Number
208201
Journal
Crime & Delinquency Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 26-52
Date Published
January 2005
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 4-year multiagency program in California designed to keep at-risk youth from reoffending.
Abstract
In 1996, California provided grant funds to 14 counties for the implementation and evaluation of comprehensive, multiagency responses to juvenile crime. This article presents findings from a randomized experimental evaluation of one of these programs: the South Oxnard Challenge Project (SOCP) in California. Participants were 539 youths who were randomly assigned to either SOCP (264 youths) or to routine probation (275 youths) and were followed for over 2 years. Data on recidivism, probation status, alcohol and other drug use, restitution, and community service were collected at four collection points over the course of the follow-up period. Results of statistical analyses indicated no significant differences between SOCP youth and routine probation youth in terms of recidivism and other outcome variables. Most participants in both groups were referred to probation or were rearrested during the study period, although most of these youths had no sustained petitions and were not incarcerated. Policy implications are discussed and include the need for similar programs around the country to evaluate their own restorative justice programs. Figures, tables, notes, references