NCJ Number
156993
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1995) Pages: 246-262
Date Published
1995
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study used cluster analysis of variables in juvenile cases to achieve a typology of juvenile offenders.
Abstract
The 93-item domain of variables was formed on the basis of variables that juvenile court professionals nominated as important in their practice of making decisions about youthful offenders. A large sample of juvenile court workers selected cases in which they had made decisions and used each of the variables in the domain to describe the juvenile. The analysis produced three well-separated clusters. Cluster 1 delinquents, labeled immature, were seen as emotionally disturbed with unmet needs, less likely to be charged with violent offenses, and likely to have engaged in prior offenses. Cluster 2 (socialized) consisted of youths who were involved in conventional school activities, had not presented special behavior problems in the past, and were not likely to have been involved in prior delinquent behaviors. Cluster 3 (mature delinquent) included youthful offenders who had a more extensive delinquent history and more behavioral difficulties at school and at work. Their pattern of offenses was seen by professionals as being less socialized and more resistant to rehabilitative interventions. 1 table and 28 references