Anyone Can Excel: A Process Evaluation of a Specialized Approach to Supervising Youthful Offenders on Adult Probation

• In Event: Smart Supervision

Abstract

Youthful offenders, aged 16-24 years old are developmentally distinct from their adult counterparts. New York State views offenders aged 16 and older as adults and, subsequently, supervises them in accordance with adult policies and practices. In New York City, youth and young adults on adult probation have disproportionately high rates of recidivism. For example, in the Bronx, these offenders account for 25% of adult probationers, but 40% of those rearrested. Sixty-nine percent of this group are rearrested for a felony arrest within 2 years. In an effort to reduce recidivism rates among this group, the New York City Department of Probation created a specialized unit, Anyone Can Excel (ACE), grounded in RNR and a Positive Youth Development of supervision. Supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, this unit is designed to target moderate to high-risk youth with a 3-stage model of supervision focusing on assessment, intervention, and transition. The unit has served over 2,000 probationers since its implementation in 2016 and was the subject of a process evaluation in 2017. The current paper reports findings, including characteristics of those served, the nature of services provided, and predictors of success and failure. Implications for research and policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Susruta Sudula, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• Deborah Koetzle, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• Nancy Andiloro, New York City Department of Probation

• Robert Costello, New York City Department of Probation