Abstract
Youth violence is a costly social problem. This study compared the risk and needs of nonviolent youth offenders, with those who had committed violent offenses only (violent only) and those who had committed violent and nonviolent offenses (violent plus) to determine whether violent youth were a different “type” from nonviolent youth. The case files of 3,744 youth offenders (3,327 males and 417 females, between 12 and 18 years old) were retrospectively coded, before official recidivism records were obtained. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), χ2, and Cox regressions were conducted. Violent-plus youth were younger; higher in their total risk and all criminogenic needs; more likely to have several noncriminogenic needs; and at higher risk of any reoffending, violent reoffending, and nonviolent reoffending than nonviolent youth. Violent-only youth had the same total risk and risk of general and violent recidivism as nonviolent offenders but presented different criminogenic and noncriminogenic needs and risk of nonviolent recidivism. Compared to violent-only youth, violent-plus youth were younger, had higher total risk and criminogenic needs on five domains, were more likely to have several noncriminogenic needs, and were at higher risk of all types of reoffending (except sexual reoffending), suggesting subtypes of violent youth offenders. The implication is that nonviolent and violent youth offenders require different dosage and types of intervention.
Highlights
Youth violence is one of the most prominent social problems (Davies & Pearson, 1999; Mercy, Butchart, Farrington, & Cerda, 2002)
Notwithstanding the volatility of youth violence trends (Butts & Snyder, 2006; Cook & Laub, 2002), the substantial costs of each violent act (McCollister, French, & Fang, 2010) confirm that violent offending by youth requires attention. By virtue of their young age, persistent violent offending by youth can result in longer term costs and potentially be more damaging when compared to adult violence
For the above-mentioned reasons, a better understanding of youth violence is critical for advancing prevention and intervention efforts
Summary
Youth violence is one of the most prominent social problems (Davies & Pearson, 1999; Mercy, Butchart, Farrington, & Cerda, 2002). Notwithstanding the volatility of youth violence trends (Butts & Snyder, 2006; Cook & Laub, 2002), the substantial costs of each violent act (McCollister, French, & Fang, 2010) confirm that violent offending by youth requires attention. By virtue of their young age, persistent violent offending by youth can result in longer term costs and potentially be more damaging when compared to adult violence. Typological Distinction Between Violent and Nonviolent Youth Offenders For the above-mentioned reasons, a better understanding of youth violence is critical for advancing prevention and intervention efforts.
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