Comparisons of Dually-Involved and Justice-Only Youth Referral Outcomes

• In Event: Navigating the System: Perspectives on Juvenile Justice Processes

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of youth involved concurrently in the juvenile justice system and welfare system (dually-involved youth) and solely in the juvenile justice system. Prior research suggests that dually-involved youth are distinctly disadvantaged and experience deeper levels of system penetration than justice-only counterparts. Using a sample of youth referrals generated in Clark County, Nevada, from 2015-2024, this presentation conducts comparative analyses of referrals characteristics and outcomes (a) between dually-involved youth and justice-only youth, and (b) between dually-involved youth before and after dual system identification. Preliminary findings suggest that the dually-involved youth population in Clark County mirrors prior research on the population. However, dually-involved youth are more likely to receive minor referrals at a higher rate than both justice-only youth and pre-dual system identification. Dually-involved youth are also more likely to receive referrals from internal departments as compared to external departments (e.g. police). Finally, dually-involved youth are more likely to have referrals result in adjudication than justice-only youth and compared to pre-dual identification. Preliminary analyses suggest that dually-involved youth experience greater system penetration and unfavorable processing outcomes compared to justice-only youth and compared to pre-identification as dually-involved.

Author

• Kaylee Dawn Faria, University of Nevada, Las Vegas