Reducing Recidivism through Targeted RECLAIM: A Matched Sample Outcome Evaluation

• In Event: Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Strategies: Evaluating the Targeted RECLAIM Program in Ohio

Abstract

Proponents of juvenile justice reinvestment strategies contend that community-based correctional programs are more effective in reducing recidivism than traditional incarceration (Mendel, 2011). In order to test this hypothesis, section II examines the effect that participation in Targeted RECLAIM has on subsequent offender recidivism for a three-year cohort of program participants (2010-2012). This study uses a one-for-one matching procedure to obtain a comparison group of offenders that were released from the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) custody during the same time period. This evaluation then compares the incarceration rates of the Targeted RECLAIM participants to the DYS matched sample of offenders to determine if group assignment influences recidivism. Finally, this section explores the extent to which offender risk level mediates the relationship between group assignment and outcome.

Authors

• Myrinda Schweitzer, University of Cincinnati

• Ryan M. Labrecque, University of Cincinnati

• Kelsey L. Mattick, University of Cincinnati

• Edward Latessa, University of Cincinnati