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Delaware Juvenile Recidivism: 2003-2008 Juvenile Level III, IV and V Recidivism Study

NCJ Number
240442
Author(s)
Jorge Rodriguez-Labarca; John P. O'Connell
Date Published
June 2009
Length
78 pages
Annotation
For the years 2003 - 2008, this study of Delaware juvenile recidivism presents a comprehensive summary of re-arrest patterns after juvenile offenders were released into the community after concluding a stay in a locked secure facility, a staffed secure program, or a non-secure program.
Abstract
The program levels examined reflect a graduated approach that requires increasingly intensive programming according to risk and need assessments of each juvenile. Level V is the most intensive programming available; it is composed of locked secure institutional settings. Level IV provides 24-hour supervision and general diagnostic substance abuse and sex offender treatment. Level III programs provide programming in non-secure settings. The main measure of recidivism used in this study is a felony rearrest, not a re-conviction, following a release from a placement. Rearrest recidivism rate are reported for six intervals: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months. Admission data were extracted from State files for the 4,483 individuals who were tracked for this study. Recidivism data for fiscal year 2006 indicate that 43 percent of those released from Level V were rearrested for a felony within 1 year. Forty percent of Level IV juveniles were rearrested for a felony; and 30 percent of Level III juveniles were re-arrested for a felony within 1 year. 40 displays, 3 figures, and 5 tables