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Juvenile Delinquency: A Study of Massachusetts Juvenile Probationers.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Juvenile Delinquency: A Study of Massachusetts Juvenile Probationers.
Language: English
Authors: Archibald, Matthew E., Massachusetts Trial Court, Boston. Office of Commissioner of Probation.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 47
Publication Date: 1992
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Adolescents, Delinquency, Delinquent Rehabilitation, Juvenile Courts, Predictor Variables, Probationary Period, Recidivism, Youth Problems
Geographic Terms: U.S.; Massachusetts
Abstract: Comparative research in juvenile delinquency provides criminal justice professionals with a mechanism for better decision-making. This study analyzed juvenile probationer arraignments and the offender risk/need classification assessment to better understand juvenile court careers and probation recidivism. Analyses were based on data generated by Massachusetts courts for juveniles (N=779) placed on probation during 1989. Court data comprised the youth's first arraignment through the 18-month follow-up period after placement on probation. Continued offender court involvement places a great burden on the criminal justice system and on the community. Results of analyses indicated: (1) persistent court involvement progressed with each arraignment; (2) paralleling other juvenile probationer studies, roughly 42% of juvenile probationers were re-arraigned within 18 months after placement on probation; (3) juveniles arraigned for index offenses, and especially those arraigned for index violent offenses, prior to current probation supervision, were more likely to recidivate than offenders who had been arraigned for less serious offenses; and (4) indicators of risk to recidivate, such as prior record delineate offender behavior requiring long-range intervention solutions, with indicators such as school disciplinary problems and negative peer relations providing targets for short-term interventions. (ABL)
Journal Code: RIEJAN1993
Entry Date: 1993
Accession Number: ED348594
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Comparative research in juvenile delinquency provides criminal justice professionals with a mechanism for better decision-making. This study analyzed juvenile probationer arraignments and the offender risk/need classification assessment to better understand juvenile court careers and probation recidivism. Analyses were based on data generated by Massachusetts courts for juveniles (N=779) placed on probation during 1989. Court data comprised the youth's first arraignment through the 18-month follow-up period after placement on probation. Continued offender court involvement places a great burden on the criminal justice system and on the community. Results of analyses indicated: (1) persistent court involvement progressed with each arraignment; (2) paralleling other juvenile probationer studies, roughly 42% of juvenile probationers were re-arraigned within 18 months after placement on probation; (3) juveniles arraigned for index offenses, and especially those arraigned for index violent offenses, prior to current probation supervision, were more likely to recidivate than offenders who had been arraigned for less serious offenses; and (4) indicators of risk to recidivate, such as prior record delineate offender behavior requiring long-range intervention solutions, with indicators such as school disciplinary problems and negative peer relations providing targets for short-term interventions. (ABL)