NCJ Number
113082
Date Published
1987
Length
79 pages
Annotation
This study examined recidivism among 527 juveniles released from 10 selected residential placements in Pennsylvania during 1984 and followed up for 6 to 40 months.
Abstract
A majority of cases were followed for at least 18 months. By the end of followup, 55 percent of the sample had been rearrested, with 48 percent rearrested within the first 12 months. Post-release arrest, conviction, and incarceration was more likely among juveniles with more extensive preplacement arrest records, more extensive delinquent placement histories, younger age at first arrest, and older age at release. Poor performance in school and difficulties in adjusting to residential placement were related to higher recidivism. Race, chemical dependency, and family stability were not predictive of later recidivism. With the exception that releasees from the New Castle Residential facility were more likely to be rearrested than than releasees from Vision Quest, no significant differences were found among the 10 placement groups on any of the recidivism measures used. This was the case both before and after control variables were introduced. Supplemental research data and the data collection instrument are appended. 7 tables, 7 notes, and 6 references.