The Transition to Adulthood Among Youth Tried as Adults: Findings from the Pathways to Desistance Study

• In Event: Research on the Effects of Juvenile Transfer and Jurisdictional Boundaries

Abstract

One aspect of the juvenile justice system is the option to transfer a youth offender to the adult court system, in cases where an offense warrants more substantial punishment, or when juvenile court resources are no longer adequate for repeat offenders (Schubert et al., 2010). Research on youth transfer to adult court has largely focused on which youth are likely to be transferred, and the effect of transfer on recidivism (Cauffman et al., 2007; Loughran et al., 2010). This research, however, neglects an important developmental consideration associated with adult court transfer: namely, how transfer to adult court may affect a youth’s transition to adulthood.

Adult court differs from juvenile court in several key respects. First, adult court involvement includes a felony record, which may inhibit youth from obtaining employment upon community re-entry (Aukerman, 2008). Second, an adolescent offender’s right to education is met perfunctorily in adult facilities compared to youth facilities (Carlson & Maike, 2010). Falling behind in school during incarceration may lead to increased likelihood of dropout (Sweeten, 2006). Because employment and educational attainment in part signal a successful transition to adulthood (Steinberg, Chung, & Little, 2004), it is likely that transfer to adult court may disrupt a youth’s potential to successfully transition to adult roles upon re-entry. Using longitudinal data of serious youth offenders (Pathways to Desistance), the present study will compare markers of a successful transition to adulthood among youth transferred to adult court, and those sentenced in juvenile court.

Authors

• Elizabeth Cauffman, University of California, Irvine

• Caitlin Cavanagh, University of California, Irvine