Reducing violence in serious juvenile offenders using intensive treatment.
This study reports on the reduction in violent offending in a population of serious and violent juvenile offenders following an intensive institutional treatment program. The treatment group (N=101) is compared to a similar group that was assessed but not treated (N=147). All youth were sent to the program from a juvenile corrections institution where they had received the customary rehabilitation services. The results show a significant reduction in the prevalence of recidivism in the treated group after controlling for time at risk in the community and other covariates. The effects of non-random group assignment were reduced by including a propensity score analysis procedure in the outcome analysis. Untreated comparison youth appeared to be about twice as likely to commit violent offenses as were treated youth (44% vs. 23%). Similarly, treated youth had significantly lower hazard ratios for recidivism in the in the community than the comparison youth, even after accounting for the effects of non-random group assignment.
Caldwell
Michael F
MF
Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center, 301 Troy Drive, Madison, WI 53704, USA. caldwmf@dhfs.state.wi.us
Van Rybroek
Gregory J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014922:Wisconsin