Young Offenders with Frequent Police Contacts

• In Event: Causes and Correlates of Youth Offending and Delinquency

Abstract

Serious crimes committed by (very) young “chronic” offenders regularly attract media and political attention. While the causes of and measures to prevent occasional age-typical offending among youths are well-researched, evidence on the dynamics underlying high-frequent serious criminal behaviour in childhood and adolescence remains scant. To address this gap, we conducted a study in Austrian cities that seeks to explore the developmental backgrounds, criminogenic processes and prevention strategies related to “persistent” juvenile delinquency. The inquiry draws on qualitative interviews with young repeat offenders and professionals who regularly interact with this clientele. This presentation will summarize the key findings and try to outline preventive measures beyond lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

Author

• Lisa Schmollmüller, Johannes Kepler University Linz