Recidivism among offenders with developmental disabilities participating in a case management program.
This study examined recidivism, defined as arrests, among 252 clients who were accepted into a case management program for offenders with developmental disabilities. Overall, 40% of clients were arrested while participating in the program, and 34% were arrested within 6 months after case closure. The crimes for which clients were arrested tended to be minor: 21% were for probation or parole violations not associated with new criminal acts, 39% were for misdemeanors, 27% were nonviolent felonies, and 12% were for felonies against persons. Clients who completed the program (N=115) were less likely to be arrested after case closure than those who dropped out of the program (N=112), 25 and 43%, respectively. Other factors associated with arrests after case closure included having a developmental disability other than mental retardation, living in an urban area, being referred to the program by a criminal justice agency or through a private referral rather than a social service agency, and being arrested while in the program. Implications are discussed for service provision and evaluation of programs that work with offenders with developmental disabilities.
Linhorst
Donald M
DM
School of Social Service, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, USA. linhorsd@slu.edu
McCutchen
Tami A
TA
Bennett
Leslie
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D003415:Crime; D003416:Criminal Law; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012947:Social Work