The Criminogenic Nature of School Sanctions: The Effects of School-Based Referrals on Recidivism

• In Event: An Education Disrupted: Juvenile Delinquency & Schooling

Abstract

Each year, thousands of youth are arrested for crimes committed at school. Although national estimates are not available, data from Florida suggest that approximately 15% of delinquency arrests are the result of a school-based offense. Little is known about the impact or outcomes of an arrest for offenses that take place at school compared to offenses that happen on the "street".

In this paper, we build upon prior research by presenting an analysis of sanction and re-arrest outcomes for youth arrested in Florida. This objective is accomplished through an examination of arrest records in Florida that allows for a comparison of youth arrested for offenses committed in school vs. non-school settings. Using advanced matching techniques, we will examine comparative sanction pathways as well as subsequent arrest outcomes for each group. To that end the paper is structured as follows. First, we will briefly discuss the history and theoretical background related to delinquency in schools. Second, the present study is discussed including a comparison of sanctions and re-arrest rates for both the study and control groups. We conclude by discussing implications for theory, research and policy.

Authors

• Mark Andrew Greenwald, Florida State University

• Samuel Scaggs, Florida State University