Reducing Illinois Juvenile Recidivism

John Baker

Statistics

Bureau of Justice Statistics– 1983: 62.5% recidivism rate– 1994: 67.5% recidivism rate– Increased rate for nearly every type of crime

Property Violations Violent Crimes Drug Violations

Factors that Lead to Recidivism

Intrapersonal Factors– Physical and Mental Health– Substance Abuse

Subsistence Factors– Financial Stability– Housing– Employment

Support Factors– Social and Familial Support

Current Attempts

Boot Camps Education Programs Mentoring Programs Registration Programs Residential Placement Programs

Ideal Plan

Program that addresses the factors that lead to recidivism– Education– Financial Skills Training– Job Training

Stakeholders

In favor– Juvenile Offenders / Families– State’s Attorney’s Office– Public Defender’s Office– John Howard Association of Illinois

Opposed– Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice

Representatives

Illinois Senator Tim Bivins– Member of Criminal Law Committee, Former

County Sheriff, Former President of Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission

Illinois Representative Eddie Washington– Chairperson of the Prison Reform Committee,

Former Correction Deputy Officer for Lake County

Problem

Programs cost money It is unlikely that the state would want to

spend money on juvenile offenders during a time of economic hardship

Sources

Abrams, L. (2006, February, Volume 23). Listening to Juvenile Offenders: Can Residential Treatment Prevent Recidivism. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 61-85.

Bouffard, J. & Bergseth, K. (2008, Volume 6). The Impact of Reentry Sevices on Juvenile Offenders’ Recidivism. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, April 2008, 295-318.

Bureau of Justice Statistics Criminal Offenders Statistics. March 29, 2009 <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm#recidivism> Carter, F. (2008, April). Offender Employment is the Key. Corrections Today, April 2008, 108-109. Conlon, B., Harris, S., Nagel, J., Hillman, M., & Hanson, R. (2008, February). Education: Don’t Leave Prison Without It.

Corrections Today, February 2008, 48-52. Flash, K. (2003, December, Volume 20). Treatment Strategies for Juvenile Delinquency: Alternative Solutions. Child and

Adolescent Social Work Journal, 509-527. Letourneau, E., & Armstrong, K. (2008, October). Recidivism Rates for Registered and Nonregistered Juvenile Sexual

Offenders. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, October 2008, 393-408. Mincey, B., Maldonado, N., Lacey, C., & Thompson, S. (2008, March). Perceptions of Successful Graduates of Juvenile

Residential Programs: Reflections and Suggestions for Success. Journal of Correctional Education, 8-31. Palermo, G. (2009, Volume 53). Reintegration and Recidivism. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative

Criminology, February 2009, 3-4. Rosenfeld, R., Petersilia, J., & Visher, C. (2008, June). The First Days After Release Can Make a Difference. Corrections

Today, June 2008, 86-87. Shinkfield, A., & Graffam, J. (2009, Febuary). Community Reintegration of Ex-Prisoners: Type and Degree of Change in

Variables Influencing Successful Reintegration. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, February 2009, 29-42.

Steiner, B & Giacomazzi, A. (2007, Volume 87). Juvenile Waiver, Boot Camp, and Recidivism in a Northwest State. The Prison Journal, June 2007, 227-240.

Visher, C., & Lattimore, P. (2008, April). Study Examines Prisoners’ Reentry Needs. Corrections Today, April 2008, 146-147.