NCJ Number
225012
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 623-646
Date Published
December 2008
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study examined the timing of juvenile victimization and delinquency.
Abstract
This study’s initial aggregate analysis indicates victimization and delinquency are most prominent and elevated during the school hours, while substance use is most common during the weekend. The examination of the victimization and delinquency violent and property subcategories also indicates violent victimization, property victimization, and violent delinquency are also most prominent during the school hours. Only property delinquency was found to be most elevated during the afterschool hours. The results suggest that simply providing a place for youth to go after school would not likely reduce the offense which juveniles are most likely to experience. Afterschool programs may be effective for addressing more serious crime, but their effectiveness will depend upon the extent to which afterschool programs can successfully recruit and retain youths who are likely to engage in serious crime. If afterschool programs are to realize their potential for reducing crime, they will have to be designed to attract a more at-risk population. Data were collected from an evaluation of the Maryland After School Opportunity Fund Program; the sample included 817 evaluation participants, including youth in the comparison group, from the 37 afterschool programs. Tables, references