NCJ Number
89868
Date Published
1982
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of the rehabilitative services program of New York State's Division for Youth (DFY) found that the program yielded average recidivism results when compared with other States and very little difference in recidivism between youth of similar backgrounds who received different program services.
Abstract
The principal issues addressed in the study were (1) the incidence of criminal recidivism and educational and employment experiences of youths after exposure to DFY residential rehabilitative services and (2) the extent to which the types of DFY program exposures (defined broadly as secure/noncommunity and community-based) affect youths' postprogram criminal, educational, and employment experiences. These issues were addressed in a study of 771 youths with varied residential experiences. Recidivism was measured by the incidence of arrests, the most serious arrest, and the incidence of convictions. Educational achievement was measured by a youth having received a high school diploma or general equivalency degree after leaving DFY, and employment achievements were measured by length of employment after leaving DFY. A total of 51.8 percent of the youths were arrested after leaving DFY, with 78.4 percent being arrested for a felony and 30.4 percent being convicted. A high school diploma or general equivalency degree was obtained by 16 percent, and only 25.4 percent of the study group were never employed. For a significant segment of the group, program exposure by residential level did not affect postprogram behavior. The findings suggest that the current program model is not working as intended. (Author summary modified)