NCJ Number
104593
Date Published
1987
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This review of an Ohio birth cohort study of violent juvenile behavior focuses on the transition of the violent juvenile offender into adult criminality and a description of the repeat index violent offender.
Abstract
The sample included all juveniles born between 1956 and 1960 who were arrested as juveniles at least once for specified violent offenses by the Columbus Police Department (Ohio) and lived continuously in Franklin County (Columbus) during their juvenile years. Data encompassed arrest records before and after the violent offense and juvenile correctional records. The cohort (n=1,222) was followed into young adulthood (ages 23-27). Violent offenses accounted for just over 30 percent of the sample's total arrests, despite the fact that inclusion in the group required an arrest for violence. Of the total sample, 59.1 percent became adult felony offenders. Those most likely to become adult felons were males who began criminal activity early, had a high rate of juvenile arrests, were still being arrested during the latter juvenile years, had been incarcerated one or more times, and committed serious violence. Repeat index violent offenders were more likely to be male, black, and chronic juvenile offenders. They were more likely than all cohort members to have been arrested before age 13. Over one-third of the juveniles arrested for violent offenses desisted after one or two arrests. Few juveniles started with minor offenses and then increased offense severity. Few data suggest an imminent ability accurately to predict individual violent juvenile behavior. 4 notes and a 'roundtable' discussion of the article.