The Provision and Completion of Gender-Specific Services for Girls on Probation

Abstract

Beginning in the late 1980s, the number of girls entering the juvenile justice system increased dramatically. Although historically girls had entered the justice system with status offenses, recent examinations suggest a sharp rise in the number of girls charged with more serious crimes. Researchers and policy makers have increasingly acknowledged the need for a gender-specific approach, which has prompted the development of gender-responsive theories, strategies, and programming to specifically address female delinquency. This article focuses on an evaluation of a gender-specific intervention and examines factors that contribute to its efficacy. More specifically, the current article explores the provision and completion of services by girls in the Reaffirming Young Sisters' Excellence Program, paying particular attention to variations by race and ethnicity.