NCJ Number
70588
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: (1980) Pages: 58-66
Date Published
1980
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Positive outcomes research attempts to counter the pathology approach, suggesting that knowledge gained from awareness of why former delinquents cease their deviant lifestyle can help others to realize a similar outcome.
Abstract
A sample of 10 former adjudicated, institutionalized delinquents of diverse race and sex, and of a variety of age and officially recorded offenses, was surveyed to gain information regarding delinquency devolution. For each, a minimum of 5 years had to have elapsed since last juvenile justice involvement, and no adjudication or institutionalization could have taken place for them as adults. Survey findings show that crime tends to abate with age. Although two respondents were still experiencing justice system interrogation, eight repondents ceased criminal activity before age 25, and for two whose age was over 35 the type and frequency of offenses became less frequent and less serious. If the two respondents with current involvement are dropped, the mean age at delinquency evolution is a little over 13 years and at delinquency devolution a little over 19 years; a mean time-span of continued intervention is approximately 6 years. These findings indicate that some delinquents, whose offenses are adjudged serious enough to require placement, treatment, and continued intervention, cease their deviant behavior and no longer pose either a threat to the life and property of others nor a financial drain on society. They often become positive, contributing members of society. Age, time, or maturation thus contribute to delinquency devolution. But those forces that help initiate a positive behavioral change have not been adequately examined. Further research must look to these factors. Ten references and several tables are provided.