Forecasting the potential effects of programming combinations for justice-involved youths

Abstract

Most youths confined in juvenile residential facilities are exposed to numerous rehabilitative programs aimed at reducing their likelihood of future contact with the juvenile or criminal justice system. Despite this, the extant literature has yet to examine the potential effects of programming combinations for justice-involved youths. The goal of the current study was to examine the effect of multiple combinations of programs on justice-involved youths' odds of recidivism. This was accomplished by estimating a series of Bayesian random intercept generalized linear regression models on a sample of youths who participated in various combinations of rehabilitative programs while placed in secure residential community correctional facilities. The forecasts indicated that certain combinations of programming led to enhanced reductions in recidivism, while others led to increases in recidivism. The results of the current study can be used to inform scholars and practitioners about the potential effects of programming combinations for justice-involved youths.