Risks, Fixers, and Zeal: Implementing Experimental Treatments for Violent Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

Implementation is a critical factor in the evaluation of correctional interventions. This study analyzes the implementation of experimental intervention programs for chronically violent delinquents in four urban juvenile justice systems. The strength and integrity of implementation varied across sites, depending on the program element and type of measurement. Some aspects of experimental programs were evident in mainstream corrections programs, suggesting that implementation is a continuous variable whose strength is relative to antecedent conditions. Political, organizational, and ideological factors influenced implementation: effective leadership, dissatisfaction with existing conditions, risk taking, and a commitment to innovation and experimentation. The results show that, where theory and program design are thoroughly implemented, treatment programs can be established to reintegrate violent youths into the community with new social skills and behaviors.