Young Offenders Research Articles

Meaningful bonds and criminal trajectories in adolescents: The intervention experience of expert professionals

Young offenders (YO) have undergone a series of experiences throughout their lives that influence their way of relating to others. Through the report of nine expert professionals, this qualitative study seeks the characterization of different types of bonds established by 20 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 22 admitted to Special Probation Programs (SPP) in the region of La Araucanía, Chile. Through the design of cases by criteria, two categories of sex and criminal trajectory defined by the Multidimensional Model of Differentiated Intervention (MMIDA) are constructed from an analytical-associative perspective. The method of analysis selected for the treatment of the data was the Weighted Hierarchical Content Analysis, which allowed its characterization, frequency distribution, and comparison. As main results, it is found that YOs, from the report of expert interveners, tend to establish meaningful bonds with their environment, through which they satisfy their affective and help needs. These bonds allow them to channel their adaptive or maladaptive potential. The quality of these established bonds differs depending on the criminal trajectory regardless of the sex of the young person, presenting high consistency as described by the MMIDA model for each of the five trajectories. When making the comparison between the sexes, it was found that women present a higher content density in the categories of damaged bonds, mainly referring to unhealthy relationships and altered development.

Well-being in institutionalised adolescents.

For adolescents who have criminal convictions, achieving a positive progress including desistance from offending may depend on a sense of well-being. Factors associated with growth in well-being are not widely researched, but there is some work that suggests that qualities in other internal states as well as in the environment may foster well-being. To examine the well-being of young male incarcerated offenders, and its relationship with frequency of contacts with the family, perceptions of socio-educational environment, feelings about the future and self-efficacy. Participants were recruited from three secure education institutions in the Federal District of Brasília, Brazil, under the management of the Secretariat of Justice. They were invited to complete anonymous self-report questionnaires, which included the Psychological Well-Being Scale, the Perception of the Socio-Educational Environment Scale, the Feelings about the Future Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Self-Efficacy, and to provide limited sociodemographic data. 195 young male offenders participated and their mean age was 16.8years (SD=1.58, range 14-20). There was a positive correlation between well-being and perceptions of the socio-educational environment, positive feelings about the future and self-efficacy self-ratings. Multiple linear regression analyses confirmed that the frequency of family contacts, positive perceptions of the socio-educational environment, positive feelings about the future, and self-efficacy in leisure and social activities independently contributed to the well-being of young offenders. Although well-being has been associated with desistance from committing crimes, the factors that may predispose to well-being have been researched less and never before examined among inmates in Brazil. While longitudinal work is needed to be certain of the direction of the relationship, the fact that the results are broadly consistent with a similar study carried out on the other side of the world is encouraging in terms of indicating ways forward in rehabilitation. It is necessary to develop interventions that support family relationships and promote personal relationships and personal development, not only of useful skills but also of personal confidence in those skills.

The fragility of grace in a law focused land: reflections on ministry with young offenders

ABSTRACT This article explores the nature of faith in a youth custody setting. Having outlined the context in which the research is based, I suggest that an instructional approach to Christian education – built upon a belief in a human predisposition to evil, an individualised soteriology, ecclesiocentric missiology and propensity for biblical literalism – is both familiar and attractive to children in custody. I then argue that such an approach can be both psychologically and spiritually damaging and that alternative pedagogical principles and praxis should be sought and embraced.

The Makings and Meanings of Childhood: Parents and the Juvenile Justice System in Interwar Palestine

Abstract: Over the thirty years of the British Mandatory government in Palestine, thousands of young people were arrested and tried as juvenile delinquents. This article explores how the parents and families of those "young offenders" confronted the logics of the colonial criminal justice system and argued for their own understandings of the law and their children's places in Palestine's social and political landscape. Studying parental petitions to the government reveals that different groups made fragmented and multidirectional claims on the category of childhood. This article argues that in interwar Palestine, childhood was the political capital through which colonial power was both constructed and contested. In doing so, this article also illuminates the roles that ordinary families and communities played in daily governance in a twentieth-century developmentalist colonial state.

Psychological Profiles of Colombian Juvenile Offenders: Variations Based on Offense Types

Introduction: young offenders are not a homogeneous group, and it is necessary to identify their psychological and psychopathological differences according to some classification.Objective: to characterize the psychological profiles of Colombian juvenile delinquents according to the type of offense, exploring possible differences.Method: a descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 200 young offenders aged between 14 and 18 years. The Children and Adolescents Evaluation System (SENA) was used, which measures 29 variables related to emotional and behavioral problems (internalized, externalized, contextual, and specific problems), areas of vulnerability, and psychological resources of the adolescent. Participants were grouped according to the type of offense: group 1 (offenses against persons), group 2 (property crimes), and group 3 (drug trafficking and possession offenses).Results: the main finding was detecting clinical and statistical differences when comparing the groups. Comparison analyses showed statistically significant differences in 18 of the 29 variables. In all of these, the group 1 T scores were higher than those of the other groups, and the group 3 scores were lower than those of the other groups.Conclusions: the findings reinforce the thesis that young offenders should not be considered as a single group or as a homogeneous group. This finding is consistent with authors and research that argue for and present evidence in favor of a differential classification of juvenile delinquency and the existence of a special group that has committed serious offenses

Exploring Correctional Treatment Interventions for Young Offenders who Committed Violent Crimes

Exploring Correctional Treatment Interventions for Young Offenders who Committed Violent Crimes

Etiologija maloletničke delinkvencije

In contemporary societies characterized by advanced information technology and widespread accessibility to various resources, social and psychological factors leading to adverse personal and societal consequences significantly influence minors, providing fertile ground for the emergence of juvenile delinquency. Juvenile delinquency is a serious problem for all contemporary societies, encompassing different forms of deviant behaviors among minors, including criminal acts that trigger legal proceedings and sanctions. Since there are a lot of theories and studies which focus on the distinctions between delinquency and criminality, this paper does not deal with that in greater detail. Instead, it focuses on elucidating juvenile delinquency as a foundational concept for understanding diverse forms of deviant behavior from criminal, psychological, and sociological perspectives. The paper identifies causes of juvenile behavior and early indicators for identifying young offenders. The primary research objective is to explore delinquency prevention strategies tailored to offenders. The examples illustrate the most frequent criminal acts perpetrated by reported, accused, and convicted minors, categorized by gender, age, and type of criminal sanction.

Menu provision in a young offenders institution, comparison with dietary guidelines, and previous menu allocation: a cross-sectional nutritional analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to assess and comparatively analyse two menus from a Young Offenders Institution (YOI). One menu from 2019, and one from 2022, with the objective of identifying any improvements in meeting dietary guidelines. Design: Cross-sectional and comparative analysis. Setting: United Kingdom, a YOI in Northern England. Participants: YOI Menus. Results: Analysis of 30 dietary components identified that 25 exceeded the dietary guidelines (P < 0.05) for the 2022 menu, with five failing to meet the guidelines (P < 0.05). When compared to the 2019 menu, the 2022 menu showed improvements in saturated fat, sodium, and vitamin D. Despite the improvement, vitamin D levels remained below dietary guidelines (P < 0.01). Salt and energy content were reduced in the 2022 menu (P < 0.05); however, they were still above the dietary guidelines (P < 0.01). Free sugars were significantly above dietary guidelines for both menus, with no significant change between the 2019 and 2022 menu (P = 0.12). Conclusion: The 2022 menu has demonstrated progress in alignment with meeting dietary guidelines, particularly in reducing calories, fat, saturated fat, salt, sodium, and chloride, as well as increasing vitamin D. Despite improvements, calories, free sugars, salt, saturated fat, sodium, and chloride are still exceeding dietary guidelines, posing as potential health risks.

Involvement of minors in the criminal process: procedural regulation according to the legislation of the Republic of Kosovo

This study explores the significance of juvenile personality in criminal proceedings within Kosovo’s legal framework, emphasising juveniles' unique psychological, social and biological development stages and their impact on criminal behaviour. Despite the global interest in juvenile justice, there is a notable gap in literature specific to Kosovo, particularly concerning the consideration of personality traits and cognitive maturity in legal processes. Through an analysis of the Code of Juvenile Justice and the Code of Criminal Procedure, along with case studies and interviews with police, prosecutors, judges and psychologists, the research addresses this gap. Key findings highlight that while Kosovo’s legal framework provides robust protections for juveniles, practical challenges include delayed identification, insufficient privacy enforcement and resource constraints. The study underscores the importance of psychologist involvement during interrogations and the need for age-appropriate communication. Additionally, it points out the limited number of specialised personnel and rehabilitation institutions as major obstacles. The research advocates for enhanced training, increased resources and a review of current sanctions to ensure the juvenile justice system prioritises rehabilitation over punishment. This study aims to improve the understanding of juvenile personality in legal proceedings, promoting fair and just treatment for young offenders. Keywords: Criminal Process; Juvenile Personality; Kosovo Juvenile Justice.

Nigerian Juvenile Justice System and the Resocialisation of Young Offenders

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the Nigerian Juvenile Justice System and its role in rehabilitating young offenders and facilitating their successful reintegration into society.&#x0D; Design Methodology/ Approach: To achieve this objective, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using various sources including libraries, case studies, and government reports. The study aimed to encompass all major aspects of the system, considering both its strengths and weaknesses.&#x0D; Findings: The current status of the Nigerian Juvenile Justice System was thoroughly evaluated, revealing its significant impact on addressing the needs of young offenders and society as a whole. Additionally, the study examined the challenges faced by the system, identifying areas that require improvement.&#x0D; Original Value: This paper presents an important insight into the Nigerian Youth Juvenile System, shedding light on its main components and the effectiveness of its resocialisation program. The findings provide valuable knowledge for stakeholders such as society, the government, and taxpayers, encouraging a comprehensive understanding and fostering meaningful improvements in the system.

Strategic Offending: Colombia’s Part-Time Child Drug Traffickers and Their Community, City and Country Lines

Through participatory research and creative auto/biography, in particular, this article highlights how young offenders in southwestern Colombia live at home, go to school and fit in the trafficking of cannabis in their spare time. This part-time participation in criminal networks becomes part of a deliberate plan to succeed and confront positions of socio-economic hardship and emotional precarity. This strategic offending in the region of Cauca with its protracted violence and alternative social order constitutes an attempt to confront ontological insecurity and establish improved life chances. These lived experiences of drug trafficking also highlight Colombia’s community, city and country lines – three levels of trafficking route along which these young part-timers shift cannabis to local, national and international markets.

Criminal policy and sanctions in the 2020s and onwards: Determinants of penal culture in Finland during the last 150 years

This article provides a fragmentary overview of the developments of criminal law and criminal policy in Finland during the last 150 years. It reflects the author’s experiences as a criminal scientist and an expert in drafting criminal legislation over 50 years. This review uses the conclusions from Cesare Beccaria’s classic, centuries-old book as its starting point: a punishment may not be an act of violence, but should be public, immediate, necessary, as minimal as the case allows, proportional to the crime, and determined by law. The Finnish Penal Code of 1889 was originally thoroughly permeated by both the principles and the spirit of the classical school of penal law, wherein punishment was primarily regarded as retribution for an offence and the penal system was therefore tolerably harmonious with the demands of general deterrence. More weight was given to individual prevention when the Code was first drafted. Later on, the influence of the sociological school of penal law, which focused on the offender and individualized criminal sanctions, led to partial reforms of the penal system, such as the enactment of the Conditional Sentences Act of 1918, the Dangerous Recidivists Act of 1932, and the Young Offenders Act of 1940. The day fine system of 1921 and the fluctuations in the ideology regarding indeterminate penal sanctions are analyzed. The total reform of the Penal Code between 1972 and 2003 aimed to create a more rational penal system – one designed for efficient, just, and humane criminal justice. An ambitious attempt was made in as uniform and systematic a way as possible to assess the goals, interests, and values that the new Criminal Code should promote and protect. The existence of the criminal justice system was justified on utilitarian grounds. The structure and operation of a penal system, however, cannot be founded solely on the basis of utility; the criteria of justice and humaneness must also be applied. The penal system must be rational in regard to both its goals (utility) and its values (justice and humaneness). The developments since the 1990s have been characterized by the influence of human rights and basic rights on both criminal and procedural law, as well as by the effects of internationalizing and Europeanizing the criminal justice system. The latter tendencies have resulted in the diversification of criminal law.

Российская и англо-саксонская модели ювенальной юстиции: возможности взаимодействия

Children are seen as objects of increased protection. Therefore, they cannot be subjected to the same criminal-repressive methods as adults. As a rule, minors belong to the sphere of juvenile justice. The Anglo-Saxon legal model of juvenile justice is the closest to the Russian one in terms of methods of legal regulation. Its experience may help to improve the Russian juvenile legal system to make it reflect the national legal realities. According to the Anglo-Saxon juvenile justice, young offenders face either punitive measures created specifically for them or those that apply to adults. The criminal code of the Russian Federation uses the same approach. In the Anglo-Saxon system of juvenile justice, the main types of exemption from criminal punishment involve probation, parole, and restitution. They differ from those stipulated by the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation as they possess a greater degree of individualization. In some cases, these tailored measures can be applied to minors under 21 years old.

An Analysis of the Implementation of Diversion in the Juvenile Criminal Court System

Objective: This study delves into the application and effectiveness of diversion programs within the juvenile criminal court system. Diversion, as an alternative to traditional court processing, aims to redirect young offenders away from formal adjudication, emphasizing rehabilitation and community-based interventions. Theoretical framework: It defines work discipline, explains performance management principles, incorporates legal regulations, uses theoretical models, forms research questions, and identifies variables. It also considers contextual factors and shapes expectations regarding work discipline's impact on performance. Methodology: The research employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, including judges, probation officers, and diversion program coordinators, alongside quantitative analysis of case outcomes and recidivism rates. The findings reveal multifaceted insights into the implementation of diversion initiatives. Results and conclusion: Qualitative data highlights the perspectives and experiences of professionals directly involved in the diversion process, shedding light on program design, participant eligibility criteria, and challenges faced in execution. Concurrently, quantitative analysis provides statistical evidence regarding the impact of diversion on reoffending rates, comparative to traditional court processing. Furthermore, this study addresses the equity implications of diversion, exploring disparities in program access and outcomes across demographic, socioeconomic, and geographical dimensions. It examines potential biases in referral, participation, and success rates, aiming to identify areas for improvement in ensuring a fair and just application of diversion practices. Originality/value: It advocates for tailored diversion programming, informed by empirical evidence and stakeholder perspectives, to maximize its potential as an effective tool for juvenile justice. The study also underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and refinement of diversion initiatives to align with evolving best practices and societal needs. This research contributes valuable insights to the discourse surrounding juvenile justice reform and the pivotal role of diversion in creating a more rehabilitative and equitable system for young offenders.

Who is coming back to prison? Emerging adulthood and the challenges associated with desistance from crime

ABSTRACT Emerging adulthood is a period involving dramatic change and many life transitions. Justice-involved individuals experiencing these transitions are statistically more likely to engage in criminal behaviours and to return into incarceration and are therefore frequently targeted for intervention by the criminal justice system. We also know that the emerging adulthood is a period of life transitions during which most young offenders eventually desist from crime, albeit at different paces. The current study is set to better understand factors that could accelerate the process of desistance. The current study presents findings from a cohort of 1,770 young men incarcerated in the province of Quebec, Canada, and aims at identifying factors more often associated with young adult recidivism or factors that facilitate their desistance. The findings show that young adult men with substance abuse problems, endorsing procriminal attitudes who are struggling with marital and familial problems, are more likely to return to prison. The implications of these findings for correctional intervention programmes are discussed.

Unravelling the mind of young adult offenders: mediating role of impulsivity in relationship between psychopathy and criminal thinking

ABSTRACT The increased crime rate in Pakistan can largely be attributed to criminal thinking, which encompasses the thought content and processes of offenders. Psychopathy, a disposition characterized by lack of empathy, emotional awareness, and impulsivity, is a vital risk factor for deviance and violent offending among young offenders. The present study aims to investigate mediating role of impulsivity between the relationship of Psychopathy and Criminal Thinking in Young Adult Offenders. The sample comprised 126 male offenders who were convicted and imprisoned for a criminal case, with the age range of 19–30 years (M = 25.74, SD = 3.15) were taken from Prisons in Pakistan. Findings revealed that there were positive associations between psychopathy, impulsivity, and various criminal thinking styles. Results indicated that impulsivity mediated the relationship between psychopathy and power orientation, criminal rationalization, entitlement, and cold-heartedness criminal thinking styles. It was concluded that psychopathic tendencies and impulsivity of offenders determined major cognitive processes in trying to control the environment, developing justifications to masquerade real motive behind a crime, feeling above the law, and an absence or concern of others. This mediation model highlights an explanatory mechanism for assessment of dispositional as well as cognitive processes to aid in the prevention of crime in future. The findings of this study have important implications for the development of interventions that include psychopathy and impulsivity as mechanisms for reducing violent behaviour in this population.

Machine Learning Applications to Identify Young Offenders Using Data from Cognitive Function Tests

Machine learning techniques can be used to identify whether deficits in cognitive functions contribute to antisocial and aggressive behavior. This paper initially presents the results of tests conducted on delinquent and nondelinquent youths to assess their cognitive functions. The dataset extracted from these assessments, consisting of 37 predictor variables and one target, was used to train three algorithms which aim to predict whether the data correspond to those of a young offender or a nonoffending youth. Prior to this, statistical tests were conducted on the data to identify characteristics which exhibited significant differences in order to select the most relevant features and optimize the prediction results. Additionally, other feature selection methods, such as Boruta, RFE, and filter, were applied, and their effects on the accuracy of each of the three machine learning models used (SVM, RF, and KNN) were compared. In total, 80% of the data were utilized for training, while the remaining 20% were used for validation. The best result was achieved by the K-NN model, trained with 19 features selected by the Boruta method, followed by the SVM model, trained with 24 features selected by the filter method.

Reactive attachment disorder, disinhibited social engagement disorder, adverse childhood experiences, and mental health in an imprisoned young offender population

BackgroundA high proportion of young people in prison have a history of abuse and neglect, and/or of neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions. Despite this, the only two conditions specifically associated with abuse and neglect, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED), have never been included as part of a comprehensive prevalence study. MethodsA cross sectional study, in 110 male inmates aged 16 to 23, examined the prevalence of, and associations between, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, including RAD and DSED. OutcomesVirtually all of the young men (96 %) had one or more lifetime neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions, 85.5 % had a current condition, yet less than 3 % reported having received a mental health assessment in prison. High rates of RAD and/or DSED symptoms were found (53.6 %) and 74.5 % had experienced some form of abuse or neglect. InterpretationThere is a high prevalence of ACEs, RAD/DSED, neurodevelopmental and other mental health conditions within this population. Comprehensive clinical assessments are required to ensure appropriate support and staff training is needed to ensure that the full implications of the high prevalence of neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions are understood as part of trauma informed care.

Cyber offending predictors and pathways in middle adolescence: Evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

Despite the pervasiveness of cyber crime victimisation, knowledge is limited regarding the prevalence, characteristics and pathways of offenders. The present study examines predictors of self-reported engagement in cyber crime in middle adolescence in a large (N = 13,277) longitudinal dataset from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. We adopted an ecological systems approach to examine a range of multicausal, intersecting factors across individual, familial, psychosocial and environmental systems. The overall prevalence of self-reported cyber offending (account hacking or the deployment of viruses) was 5.6% at age 14 and 3.8% at age 17, although persistence over time by the same individuals was relatively low (1.1%). Significant predictors of cyber offending at age 17 were being male, domestic violence between parents, low parental monitoring, low wellbeing, self-harm, exclusion from school, spending more time online gaming, participating in offline leisure activities, and engaging in serious violence (weapon carrying or use), assault, and cyber crime at age 14. Findings indicate that young cyber offenders are often males and those who have experienced a range of risk factors that are connected to poorer wellbeing and engaging in multiple risky/offending behaviours. Implications for theory, policy and practice are discussed.

Young people gain skills to leave crime behind

Scheme targets young offenders most at risk of going into custody, giving them the opportunity to develop employability skills to turn their lives around