NCJ Number
162020
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 42 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1996) Pages: 171- 191
Date Published
1996
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The recidivism of 2,738 juvenile offenders who were transferred to criminal court in Florida in 1987 was compared with that of a matched sample of juvenile delinquents who were retained in the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
Recidivism was analyzed with respect to rates of reoffending, the seriousness of the new offenses, and the elapsed time to reoffending. Appropriate adjustments were made for the time at risk. The followup period ran from the date of case closure in 1987 to the end of 1988. Results revealed that by every measure of recidivism used, reoffending was greater among those transferred to adult criminal court than among those who remained in the juvenile justice system. Although transferred youths were more likely to be incarcerated and to be incarcerated for longer periods than those retained in the juvenile justice system, they quickly reoffended at a higher rate than the nontransferred youths. Findings indicated that the effect of transfer was not in the direction that its advocates expect and that transfer actually aggravated short-term recidivism. Findings suggest that transfer from juvenile to criminal court has had little deterrent effect and has not produced any incapacitative benefits that enhance public safety. Although the results do not appear to result from nonequivalence across groups, replication of this research and longitudinal studies focusing on the experiences and reactions of young offenders in juvenile versus adult courts and correctional systems are recommended. Table, figure, appended tables, notes, and 51 references (Author abstract modified)