A Systematic Review of Sports Programs to Prevent Reoffending: Preliminary Findings

• In Event: Evidence-Based Crime Policy II

Abstract

In many countries sports programs are very popular measures that aim to reduce reoffending or prevent delinquent development in young people at risk. Although social control, routine activity, social learning, and other theories suggest a desirable effect of such programs, correlational findings on the relation between sports activities and delinquency are mixed. In addition, there is surprisingly little controlled evaluation of the effects of sports programs on later delinquent behavior. Against this background, this paper presents basic characteristics and preliminary findings of an international review on the impact of sports programs. Most outcome evaluations do not contain equivalent control groups but before-after designs. Bearing these and other methodological limitations in mind, the findings are promising. Positive effect sizes are in a similar range as it was found for adventure and wilderness programs. More systematic research and differentiation with regard to the content of sports programs are recommended.

Authors

• Sebastian Jendreiek, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

• Friedrich Loesel, Cambridge University

• Johann Koehler, University of California, Berkeley