Comparing Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center Effects on Recidivism

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

In response to evidence of negative effects of incarceration, assessment centers were created as an alternative for low-risk youth. The present study evaluated a juvenile assessment center and detention center in a small city in the Midwest. It was hypothesized that youth who were processed through the assessment center without detention would demonstrate lower recidivism. The sample includes 11-16 year old offenders ( = 13.90) who were detained at a juvenile detention center (n=386) or diverted to an assessment center (n=446). Preliminary results reveal that controlling for initial severity of offense, youth who were detained were more likely to reoffend at the same or higher level than youth who were assigned to the assessment center (b = .44, SE = .20, OR = 1.55, p < .05). Youth with low-severity offenses severity were less likely to reoffend at a lower level compared with desistance (b = -1.70, SE = .34, OR = .18, p < .001), but were also less likely to re-offend at a lower level than at the same or higher level (b = -2.056, SE = .36, OR = .13, p < .001). Program effects did not vary by age or low vs. moderate-severity initial offense.

Authors

• Rena Onady, Bowling Green State University

• Mercedes Pratt, Bowling Green State University

• Carolyn Tompsett, Bowling Green State University