NCJ Number
199092
Date Published
November 2002
Length
125 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology, findings, and recommendations of an evaluation of Colorado's Youthful Offender System (YOS), which is a specialized program for violent juvenile offenders who have been charged and convicted as adult felons.
Abstract
The YOS legislation requires that the State provide a sentencing option for "certain youthful offenders" in a "controlled and regimented environment that affirms dignity of self and others, promotes the value of work and self-discipline, and develops useful skills and abilities through enriched programming." The legislation further directs the Department of Corrections (DOC) to develop a program that provides equitable treatment and separate housing for both male and female offenders. Still, the youthful offenders are to be "subject to all laws and DOC rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to adult inmates...." This evaluation of the YOS program focused on the recidivism rate for YOS offenders; the annual amount of funding spent per YOS offender; comparison of current operations with the legislative intent of the YOS program; whether the correct population is being sentenced to YOS; and the current issues that impact the operations of YOS. Quantitative data were obtained to profile the YOS population and determine recidivism rates. Qualitative data were collected from interviews, onsite observation, one family focus group, and document reviews. Recidivism was defined as a new felony filing by offenders who had completed all phases of the YOS program and completed their sentence. All offenders sentenced to YOS (n=670) since its inception were included in this analysis. Fifteen percent of the 670 YOS offenders failed the program and had the YOS sentence revoked. After 1 year, 77.6 percent of the youth received no new felony court filing, showing a 1-year recidivism rate of 22.4 percent. After 2 years, 64.5 percent received no new felony filings; and after 5 years, 35.3 percent received no new felony filings. Given an average YOS sentence of 3.7 years and an average Phase III time of 8.44 months, the average cost per sentenced offender was estimated at $193,778. Apparently, the intended population of offenders is being sentenced to YOS. Four concerns were identified as seriously interfering with the ability of the YOS program to meet the expectations of the early program designers and the legislative mandate: lack of gender-specific programming for females; the continual presence of adults in the facility and on the YOS grounds; the lack of integration of mental health services with the larger YOS endeavor; and a lack of cohesion experienced by numerous YOS staff. Recommendations are offered to address these problems. 11 tables and appended data collection forms, mentoring program description, and a paper on successful aftercare services