Examining the Risk Principle for Juvenile Offenders: A Propensity Score Matching Comparison

• In Event: Juvenile Risk Assessment Tools

Abstract

The risk principle dictates that the intensity and duration of services should mimic the risk level of the youth, with higher risk youth receiving more intense services for a longer period of time. During FY 2011-12, 297 low risk to re-offend youth were committed to Florida Department of Juvenile Justice residential placement. This study matches all low risk to re-offend youth released from residential commitment placement to low risk to re-offend youth under probation supervision using propensity score matching to examine differences in recidivism. Youth were matched on gender, race, age at admission, age at first offense, most serious prior offense, antisocial peer association, alcohol use, drug use, parental authority, a criminal history score (which includes seriousness and extent of prior offending and juvenile justice system placements) and a global social history score of individual and environmental factors. A comparison of means pre- and post-matching is presented. Recidivism differences and policy implications are discussed.

Authors

• Katherine Jackowski, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Michael T. Baglivio, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Laura Moneyham, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice