NCJ Number
145086
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Between 1987 and 1992, New York State correctional facilities admitted 32 percent more violent juvenile offenders; of the 1,611 youths admitted to Division for Youth (DYF) program in 1992, 45 percent were placed for having committed a violent offense.
Abstract
Males were more likely than females, and 15- and 16-year olds were more likely than other age groups, to have committed a violent offense. However, females comprised a greater proportion of assault and homicide offenders than they did any other single offense. The figures show that black and Hispanic admissions were comprised of significantly more violent offenders than were white admissions in 1992. With the exception of burglary and sex offenses, where they were underrepresented, blacks and Hispanics comprised a percentage of each violent offenses category that was consistent with the overall percentage of violent offenders attributed to each racial group. While 55 percent of admissions from New York City were violent offenders, only 31 percent of all other admissions in the State were classified as violent. Violent offenders were more likely than other offenders to need substance abuse services, special education, and mental health services; they were also more likely to have a history of institutional violence, but less likely to attempt escape. During the reporting period, the greatest single increase in violent juvenile offenses involved weapons violations. 3 tables, 2 figures, and 2 notes