Does Status Offender Labeling Amplify or Deter Future Delinquency?

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

Abstract

Approximately one-fifth of all youth interactions with law enforcement officials are for status offenses - running away from home, violating curfew, uncontrollable behavior, and alcohol related violations - behaviors falling under the purview of the justice system simply because of the age of the offender. Given the magnitude of the issue and the potential deterrent or labeling effects of justice system involvement there is surprisingly little scholarly attention given to this segment of the at-risk youthful population. Seeking to address these questions, this assessment takes up the consequences of labeling status offenders using information obtained from the Connecticut Families with Service Needs initiative. Using Propensity Score Matching techniques, the results demonstrate that the designation has direct and significant consequences for future involvement in the juvenile justice system, specifically arrest and adjudication. Race and gender do not condition the status offender labeling effect on arrest; however, both mediate the impact of the designation on future adjudications. Results from the study highlight the importance of examining early labeling events in the juvenile and child welfare systems.

Authors

• Stephanie Bontrager Ryon, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

• Elizabeth K. Stupi, University of West Georgia

• Kelle Barrick, RTI International