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Distinguishing Between Return to Juvenile Versus Adult Prison In Juvenile Recidivism Analyses

NCJ Number
238051
Journal
Justice Research and Policy Volume: 1 Issue: 13 Dated: 2011 Pages: 1-21
Author(s)
Jordan K. Boulger; David E. Olson
Date Published
2011
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article examines juvenile recidivism.
Abstract
Although considerable attention has been paid to the outcomes of adults released from prison, a notable shortcoming of the evolving reentry literature is the minimal inclusion of juveniles in recidivism analyses. Through an examination of administrative data collected by the Illinois Department of Corrections for 1,894 youth released from Illinois Youth Centers (IYC) in 2003, the study sought to determine the rate at which juveniles were returned to either an IYC or an adult prison within a 6-year follow-up period, and how youth demographic, legal, and social characteristics were predictive of return to prison. The analyses found that approximately 45 percent of the youth were returned to a juvenile facility within six years, and when admission into an adult prison was included, the recidivism rate increased to 62 percent. Logistic regression showed some consistencies and differences in the relationship between youth characteristics and return to either a juvenile or adult prison within the follow-up period. (Published Abstract)