NCJ Number
81889
Date Published
1982
Length
50 pages
Annotation
The second of a five-volume series on youthful offenders committed to the Massachusetts Department of Correction from 1968 to 1979 focuses on youths bound over from juvenile to adult criminal courts and subsequently sentenced to the State corrections system.
Abstract
The sample consists of 146 individuals, 18 years old at the time of commitment, who make up 36 percent of youthful offenders from 1968 to 1979. Data on the youths were analyzed according to commitment, institutional history, juvenile court history, Department of Youth Service history, and social background, as well as recidivism for those released from 1968-78. According to study results, bind-over juveniles have more extensive juvenile justice experience, greater involvement with juvenile courts and the Department of Youth Service, and earlier first juvenile court experiences than do youths adjudicated by juvenile courts. Compared to non-bind-overs, bind-overs are more likely to be poor black offenders from multiproblem families and chaotic, disruptive environments. In general, youths bound over to adult courts receive more maximum- and medium-security placements and longer sentences than non-bind-overs. The study reveals changes over 12 years. Bind-overs committed at present receive longer sentences than those previously committed. Bind-overs and non-bind-overs exhibit comparable recidivism rates: 29 and 30 percent respectively for a 1-year followup period and 40 and 47 percent respectively for a 2-year followup period. Thus, less serious offenders actually return to prison slightly faster than bind-over offenders over a 2-year followup period. Tables, notes, and appendixes are supplied.