The Utility of Risk Assessment for Youth Drug Offenders: An Examination of Criminogenic Risk and Juvenile Recidivism

• In Event: Innovative Applications of Risk Assessment in the Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

Understanding the criminogenic risk factors and treatment needs of juvenile drug offenders is important because of the myriad negative outcomes that befall juveniles that are involved in drugs. A widely used juvenile risk assessment tool, the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) was utilized to explore criminogenic risk factors and treatment needs to predict recidivism. Demographic differences between drug and non-drug offenders were also examined. Results suggested that of the eight YLS/CMI domains, the substance abuse domain was not predictive of recidivism for juvenile drug offenders. However, peer relationships and attitudes significantly predicted future recidivism, suggesting that case planners should pay particular attention to these domains when designing a treatment plan for this group. Cox Regression Hazard Modeling was also used to estimate risk for recidivism among juvenile drug offenders as compared to other juvenile offenders. Results revealed that while juvenile drug offenders had a significantly higher score for substance use, they were not more likely to recidivate than non-drug offenders. Implications are discussed.

Authors

• Jordan Papp, University of Cincinnati

• Christina Campbell, University of Cincinnati

• Eyitayo Onifade, Florida State University

• Valerie Rose Anderson, University of Cincinnati

• William Davidson, Michigan State University

• Dawn Foster, Yale University