NCJ Number
109006
Date Published
Unknown
Length
329 pages
Annotation
This report presents an argument and basis for further efforts to develop a classification system for different types and patterns of delinquency to aid the understanding and prediction of (1) continuity in delinquent careers, (2) continuation to adult crime, and (3) the development of serious criminal careers.
Abstract
The authors' previous research on juvenile delinquency and adult crime began in the 1950's in Madison, Wis., and in the 1960's in Racine, Wis. This research is still continuing. It indicates that the problems of measurement, classification, and prediction are so intertwined that all should be given further simultaneous consideration using the several data sets that have been developed. The research has used longitudinal birth cohorts from 1942, 1949, and 1955, including a total of 6,127 people of whom 4,079 had continuous residence in Racine. The analysis used official records on police contacts, referrals, and court dispositions for all 3 cohorts, together with interview data for 889 persons from the 1942 and 1949 cohorts. Detailed case analyses were conducted for 52 people who had frequent and/or serious contacts with the police. Analysis showed diverse types and patterns of delinquency and crime and raise the issue of how best to develop a typology that will aid predictive ability and decisionmaking in individual cases. Footnotes, figures, data tables, and appended glossary and detailed case histories. For related document, see NCJ 109005.