Exploring State-Level Variation in Juvenile Incarceration Rates: Symbolic Threats and Competing Explanations

• NCJ Number: 216417
• Journal: The Prison Journal Volume: 86 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 470-490
• Author(s): Daniel P. Mears
• Date Published: December 2006
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article explores four potential explanations for why some States invest more heavily than others in the long-term confinement of juvenile offenders.

Abstract

Data on State-level variation in juvenile incarceration rates indicated that juvenile property and adult violent crime rates as well as adult incarceration rates and region of the country were associated with juvenile incarceration policies. Midwestern and western States were more likely to use long-term incarceration for juveniles than were southern or northeastern States. Symbolic threats were unrelated to State juvenile incarceration policies. The author suggests that clear guidance is needed to place State juvenile justice systems on sound moral, legal, and organizational footing. The author focused on exploring four potential explanations for variations in State-level juvenile incarceration rates: (1) juvenile incarceration rates may be higher where symbolic threats to social order are higher; (2) juvenile incarceration rates may be higher in States where crime, particularly juvenile violent crime, is higher; (3) juvenile incarceration rates may be higher in States with higher adult incarceration rates; and (4) juvenile incarceration rates may be higher in regions that have a cultural affinity for punitive policies. Data on juvenile incarceration rates were drawn from the Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement, data on inequalities were drawn from the Economic Policy Institute and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and data on adult incarceration rates were drawn from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Regions were coded as being Northeast, Midwest, West, or South. The analysis used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models to predict juvenile incarceration rates from measures of symbolic threat, juvenile and adult violence and property crime, adult incarceration rates, and region of the country. Future research should focus on the causal mechanisms that produce both juvenile and adult crime as well as juvenile and adult incarceration rates. Tables, notes, references