Delinquency Recidivism Research Articles

The effectiveness of cognitive bias modification in reducing substance use in detained juveniles: An RCT

Background and objectiveYoung offenders show high levels of substance use. Treatment programs within detention settings are less effective. Cognitive bias modification (CBM) is a promising supplement to substance use treatment. This study tests the effectiveness of CBM in young offenders to reduce cannabis and alcohol use, and delinquent recidivism. MethodA randomized controlled trial added CBM to treatment as usual (TAU), among 181 youth in juvenile detention centers. In a factorial design, participants were randomly assigned to either active- or sham-training for two varieties of CBM, targeting attentional-bias (AtB) and approach-bias (ApB) for their most used substance. Substance use was measured with the Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Tests. Delinquent recidivism was measured with the International Self-Report Delinquency (ISRD) survey. ResultsAt pretest, participants showed AtB but no ApB for both substances. For alcohol, a decrease was found in AtB in the active-training group. For cannabis, a decrease was found in AtB for both active- and sham-training groups. Regardless of condition, no effects were found on substance use or ISRD scores at follow-up. LimitationsThe sample is judicial, not clinical, as is the setting. TAU and participant goals are not necessarily substance related. ConclusionsYoung offenders show a significant attentional-bias towards substance cues. CBM changed attentional-biases but not substance use. Combining CBM with a motivational intervention is advised. Follow-up research should better integrate CBM with running treatment programs. New developments regarding CBM task design could be used that link training better to treatment.

Do Self-Reported Psychopathic Traits Moderate the Relations Between Delinquent History Predictors and Recidivism Outcomes in Juvenile Delinquents?

The present study investigates whether self-reported psychopathic traits moderate the relationships between delinquent career features (i.e., age of first detention in a juvenile detention center, crime frequency, crime diversity, crime charges, and Conduct Disorder) and 1-year general delinquency and violent delinquency recidivism outcomes. The sample was composed of male youth ( N = 214, M = 16.4 years, SD = 1.3 years) originating from the juvenile detention centers managed by the Ministry of Justice of Portugal. Results mostly suggest that neither the Antisocial Process Screening Device––Self-Report total score nor its Callous-Unemotional, Impulsivity, and Narcissism factor scores moderate the relationships between the delinquent career variables and general and violent delinquency recidivism outcomes. The notable exception was the interaction between crime frequency and callous-unemotional traits in predicting general recidivism. The current findings question the relevance of self-reported psychopathic traits as moderators of recidivism among juveniles despite the general association between psychopathy and conduct problems among youth.

Delinquency as the Failure of Adults and the Village to Exercise Their Moral Strength

This paper examines multiple relationships among several concepts to determine common causes to delinquency and to suggest intelligence-based alternative to resolve this public health hazard. Juvenile crime has become a public health hazard because the regularity, brutality and impunity by which juveniles commit their crimes these days is indescribable and their state of mind is “unplaced”. Delinquency may be defined as the behavior consequent to the failure of adults and the village to exercise their moral superiority and integrity to produce behavior that conforms to standards set as norms with some degree of consistency in a society to which legal sanctions are leveled (Obinyan, E. 2011). Adult's moral superiority may be defined as the ability to recognize the differences between acceptable and unacceptable behavior….Adult's moral integrity may be defined as the ability of individual adults to refrain from unacceptable behavior and to communicate to youths through example, conventional acceptable behavior (Obinyan, 2011).Village moral superiority entails the ability of each group, community or the society at large to establish norms that are consistent with cultural values. Village moral integrity entails the ability of the village as a whole to uphold, reinforce, and consistently demonstrate and communicate the sanctity of these cultural norms. Moral strength, therefore is the combined effect of the village and adult’s moral superiority and integrity (Obinyan). Children and youth social contexts are important contributors of problem behavior (Dishion, Forgatch, VanRyzin, & Winter, 2012; Dodge, 1983). In deviant peer groups, it is common for youth to engage in deviancy training wherein deviant behaviors are reinforced such that discussion of rule-breaking behavior is linked with a positive consequence (e.g., affirmation; Dishion, Spracklen, Andrews, & Patterson, 1996). Youth association with deviant peers is associated with many problematic outcomes (e.g., drug use, violence; Dishion, Eddy, Haas, Li, & Spracklen, 1997; Dision, Capaldi, Spracklen, & Li, 1995; Dishion & Patterson, 2006).Delinquency results when there is a relative absence of adult and village action, such as lack of moral integrity and respect for societal norms, a breakdown of unofficial social control and adult and the village inability to agree on the definition of what behavior may be regarded as delinquent. This is why delinquency may be seen as a function of the type of relationships between adults and the village, and their perception of and attitude toward delinquency. For a particular person however, the definition of delinquency may depend greatly upon their cultural background and the inability of the adult and the village to properly use their moral superiority and integrity to impact on all members of their communities. In most cases, the relative weakness of adult and village moral strength should account for the delinquent behavior. When delinquent recidivism becomes a problem and a continuation of delinquent behavior is consistent and intensifies, we would expect that the steam or vitality of adult and village moral strength (moral superiority and integrity) has been let out.

Dropout, Autonomy and Reintegration in Spain: A Study of the Life of Young Women on Temporary Release.

This study analyses the psycho-educational and social paths of women prisoners after the time they drop out of school as minors, based on different variables related to autonomy and their preparedness to face temporary release.MethodsQualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyse a national sample of 310 women prisoners (30.1% of the population) in 31 prisons through a mixed-mode questionnaire and interview. We analysed the significant association of variables related to dropout and obtained a log-linear model that relates dropout to recidivism and Roma culture. Work experience was analysed using the McNemar test, and variables influencing the participant’s job at the time of the study were analysed by applying cluster analysis.ResultsYoung women comprise 66.6% of individuals who drop of the education system as minors (primary 49.3% and secondary 22%). They drop out between the ages of 7 and 17, and have traits of greater vulnerability than those who stayed in school until adulthood. In this population, we find a significant association with various factors: belonging to Roma culture, having family members in prison and delinquent recidivism; and higher unemployment (43.4%) and low income before entering prison. This situation is increasing today. In prison, these women had more connection to education/training, which can improve their employability. They also encounter difficulties with personal security, decision-making, personal/professional dependence, planning for the future, administrative matters and handling information and communication technologies, job-seeking skills, etc. Their self-perceived strengths are, however, assuming responsibility, taking orders, respecting schedules and timetables, working on a team and feeling prepared to start a job, as well as having optimistic convictions about the future.ConclusionThe vulnerabilities and risk factors studied have a negative influence primarily on processes of personal, social and job autonomy in female minors who left the education system. Yet these minors show factors of protection and resilience. On temporary release at the time of the study, they face the consequences that their prison terms and incarceration have for their perceptions, attitudes, competencies and future prospects, as well as social marginalization and stigma. Early, coherent socio-educational interventions are thus needed to improve social integration-reintegration.

Juvenile Delinquency Recidivism: Are Black and White Youth Vulnerable to the Same Risk Factors?

Using large-sample, archival data from the state of South Carolina's juvenile justice agency, we examine the question of race differences in predictors of repeat offending for a sample of approximately 100,000 youth who had been referred for criminal offenses. Independent variables relating to background, adverse parenting, mental health, school-related disabilities, and features of first offenses contributed to more than 25% of the variance in recidivism for both Black and White youth. Male gender, eligibility for free or reduced school lunch, diagnoses based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2000), placement in Child Protective Services, and school identification as having a classification of emotional or behavioral disorders or learning disabilities were all predictive of juvenile recidivism. In addition, early age of first offense, status offenses, and being prosecuted for a first offense were significant predictors. Magnitudes of prediction were similar across racial groups, suggesting similar vulnerability of both Black and White youth to these early adversities. Interactions between race and other independent variables accounted for only .001 of the variance in recidivism. However, there were several significant interactions. Mental health history and characteristics of the first offense were stronger predictors for White youth than for Black youth. Gender, poverty (free or reduced lunch), and school identification of having a classification of emotional or behavioral disorders were stronger predictors for Blacks than for Whites. Implications for prevention are addressed.

Contagion and repeat offending among urban juvenile delinquents

This research investigates the role of repeat offending and spatial contagion in juvenile delinquency recidivism using a database of 7166 male juvenile offenders sent to community-based programs by the Family Court of Philadelphia. Results indicate evidence of repeat offending among juvenile delinquents, particularly for drug offenders. The likelihood of recidivism is influenced by ethnicity, parental criminality, and various measures of prior contact with the juvenile justice system. Spatial contagion, measured as the rate of recidivism for specific crime types among delinquents living nearby the juvenile’s residence, was found to strongly influence the likelihood of recidivism. These results suggest that delinquent peer contagion is offense specific, and thus facilitates repeat offending, as well as neighborhood specialization, particularly for drug offenses.

Empirical Risk Factors for Delinquency and Best Treatments: Where do we go from here?

Youth development and prevention of violence are two sides of the same public policy issue. A great deal of theoretical and empirical effort has focused on identification of risk factors for delinquency and development of interventions for general risks. Recent calls for changes in public policy are evaluated here--and challenged--in light of new comprehensive, longitudinal empirical data on urban violent delinquency. Treatments such as prenatal care, home visitation, prevention of bullying, prevention of alcohol and/or drug abuse, promotion of alternative thinking, mentoring, life skills training, rewards for graduation and employment, functional family therapy, and multidimensional foster care are effective because they prevent or ameliorate risks for delinquency occurring during development. At present, the best treatments yield 10 to 40% reductions in delinquent recidivism. Better controlled application of developmentally appropriate treatments in higher doses, with narrow targeting of the highest-risk youth based on actuarial testing--rather than less accurate clinical judgment--should result in higher effectiveness. Such a focused approach in a geographical area with high homicide rates should be cost-effective. A prediction of cost-benefit outcomes for a carefully constructed example of a large-scale program is presented.

Research on the formative factors for delinquency recidivism

Research on the formative factors for delinquency recidivism

The role of repeat victimization in adolescent delinquent behaviors and recidivism

Purpose To report prevalence of adolescent victimization and delinquency recidivism as well as to assess the association between repeat victimization and delinquency recidivism in a large, population-based sample of high school seniors. Methods A nationally representative sample of the Monitoring the Future Project (about 17,000 high school seniors from 1996 to 1999) was analyzed as a pooled sample. The analysis was based on self-reported measures of ten different types of delinquent behaviors including violent and property offenses. Other measures included in the analysis are victimization and information about sociodemographic (e.g,. geographic region, parental education, number of parents in the home) and lifestyle (e.g., grade from average, truancy, work experience, religious commitment) characteristics. Pairwise and multivariate methods were used to examine the risk association between repeat victimization and delinquency recidivism. Results From 1996 to 1999, a downward trend was observed for most types of delinquent behaviors: recidivism among seniors except for hitting instructors/supervisors, damaging school property, and car theft. For the same study period, the prevalence of victimization recidivism was also on the decline except for injury with a weapon and physical threats. Repeat victimization was found to be significantly associated with delinquency recidivism. Other risk factors more frequently associated with delinquency recidivism included gender, race, drug use, poor school performance, truancy, risk-seeking, and conflicts with parents. Conclusions The present study showed a significant association between repeat victimization and delinquent recidivism; it identified characteristics of adolescent at risk of repetitive delinquent behaviors, which could be used for planning intervention strategies.

Cerebral dysfunction, neurologic symptoms and recurrent delinquency--I. Review of the literature

Men with polytropic and persistent delinquency constitute a core group of criminal offenders. Criminological research could establish a set of social characteristics for this group, but psychiatric, neurological and neuropsychological variables with importance to the formation of delinquent recidivism are rarely investigated. In this study we give a survey of the results concerning the relevance of genetic factors for delinquent behaviour. Then we review the development of the "minimal brain disorder" conception and its changes to "hyperkinetic syndrome", "attention deficit disorder" and to specific developmental disorders, which are all associated with a higher degree of conduct disorders and delinquent behaviour. We finally discuss the stability and relevance of nonfocal neurological ("soft") signs and depict a tentative model of the relations between the influential factors. Part II of this study (66) gives an account of the results of the "Heidelberg Delinquency Study" in this area.

Delinquency in Puerto Rico: The 1970 Birth Cohort Study.

Foreword, by Miguel Hernandez Agosto Background for the Current Study Prevalence Incidence Age and Delinquency Delinquent Recidivism Police and Court Dispositions Cohort Comparisons Summary Policy Implications and Suggestions for Legislation Appendices Bibliography Index

Female delinquent recidivism and the P greater than V sign on the WISC-R.

Examined the Performance-Verbal (P-V) discrepancy on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised as a predictor for recidivism among 78 adjudicated white female delinquents. The P greater than V sign was displayed significantly more frequently among recidivists than among nonrecidivists. No significant relationship was found between amount of P-V difference and number of offenses for which an individual may be adjudicated. The findings support the view that cognitive differences differentiate recidivists from nonrecidivists.

The P less than V sign on the WISC-R and recidivism in delinquents.

The P less than V sign on the WISC-R and recidivism in delinquents.

The P > V sign on the WISC-R and recidivism in delinquents.

The P > V sign on the WISC-R and recidivism in delinquents.

The Labeling Approach to Delinquency: State of the Theory as a Function of Method

In this study, hypotheses regarding selective bias on the part of official decision-makers, and the independent effect of social control upon delinquency recidivism are tested. Contrary to the findings of earlier studies, statistical analysis failed to demonstrate selective bias in offender dispositions. While a statistically significant, direct relationship is observed between official labeling (formal hearing) and recidivism the result is discussed as an example of the type of finding which too often leads to a theoretically unwarranted inferential leap beyond the interpretational limits of the study data. Finally, suggestions for, and examples of, promising lines of methodological inquiry into central but neglected dimensions of labeling theory are presented. Labeling theory in the sociology of delinquency enjoys a wide popularity among practitioners and academicians alike. There is a considerable bibliography expounding the relevance of this processual model of delinquency causation (Schur, 197 1; Stebbins, 197 1 ). Similarly, among those involved in the administration of juvenile justice, labeling is salient in the determination of delinquent careers. This is evidenced by the fact that the present study was commissioned by a County Juvenile Court for the express purpose of identifying types of first offenders who might be spared the degradation of an official hearing. However, in the name of process and redirection labeling theory, along with its structural sister, interest group theory, has allowed itself to become flabby and un-

The Labeling Approach to Delinquency: State of the Theory as a Function of Method

In this study, hypotheses regarding selective bias on the part of official decision-makers, and the independent effect of social control upon delinquency recidivism are tested. Contrary to the findings of earlier studies, statistical analysis failed to demonstrate selective bias in offender dispositions. While a statistically significant, direct relationship is observed between official labeling (formal hearing) and recidivism the result is discussed as an example of the type of finding which too often leads to a theoretically unwarranted inferential leap beyond the interpretational limits of the study data. Finally, suggestions for, and examples of, promising lines of methodological inquiry into central but neglected dimensions of labeling theory are presented.

Unofficial Probation: An Evaluation of Its Effectiveness

Unofficial probation, one approach to the diversion of young sters from court, is in widespread use throughout the country. The study reported here was aimed at examining the effectiveness of such informal handling by means of an experimental-control-com parison group investigation of 277 children referred to the Yolo County Probation Department, Woodland, California, during an 18-month period from January, 1970, through June, 1971. Though conclusive findings were not obtained, due primarily to the small number of children in the groups studied, the research effort did produce several noteworthy results: —The Yolo County Probation Department now has a tested and efficient probation information system in operation. It may be the only probation department in the country using a data system that lends itself so readily to research as well as management infor mation purposes. -Some idea was gained as to the degree to which the unofficial probation approach is used across the nation. -An attribute profile of one probation department's informal probationers was developed. Thus, other departments are pro vided with an opportunity to make comparisons - on the basis of probationer characteristics instead of merely the usual mislead ing "success rates." -The study described a research methodology that is available to practitioners for evaluating the effectiveness of probation approaches. -Evidence was obtained to show that the selective use of informal probation does not result in any greater rate of official delinquency than does formal probation. -Some of the findings tend toward the conclusion that proba tion services provided to children who need them do prevent further delinquency. -Taken together, the study findings indicate that informal probation may reduce delinquency recidivism. -The obtained results clearly favor the contention that a com munity can benefit financially and socially from the judicious use of unofficial probation. A further conclusion was that the study results warrant replica tion of the research on a larger scale, with more than one depart ment studied.