NCJ Number
242867
Date Published
January 2013
Length
139 pages
Annotation
This study by the Colorado Department of Human Services evaluated recidivism rates for committed youth discharged from State facilities during fiscal year 2010-2011.
Abstract
This study was conducted in response to two State legislative mandates: an annual evaluation of recidivism rates for all committed youth discharged from State facilities, and recidivism rates for youth placed at the Ridge View Youth Services Center (RVYSC) during their commitment stay. Key findings from the evaluation include the following: overall, 70 percent of youth completed their commitment successfully with no new adjudications, with 84 percent going a full year following discharge without receiving a new adjudication; post-discharge recidivism rates declined significantly in the previous two consecutive years while pre-discharge recidivism rates remained stable; and youth committed to the RVYSC had pre-discharge and post-discharge recidivism rates of almost 28 percent 19 percent, respectively, similar to those for the State cohort. Additional findings in the study deal with risk assessment levels, prior system involvement, youth with substance abuse and mental health needs, and place of re-offense. The report also presents analyses of how the State's recidivism rates compare to those in other States and at the national level. These analyses found that both Colorado and Missouri had the lowest recidivism rates in the country. The findings for this year's report are based on an evaluation of 793 youth discharged from State facilities during FY 2010-11, and a sub-group of youth (n=198) who were place at the RVYSC. The term "pre-discharge" identifies new offenses a youth is adjudicated or convicted on during the period of time the youth is supervised by the Division of Youth Corrections (DYC) in residential commitment or on parole, while "post-discharge" recidivism refers to new adjudications/convictions for new felony or misdemeanor offenses that occurred up to 1 year following discharge from DYC supervision. Tables, figures, and references