Reducing Illinois Juvenile Recidivism

1. Reducing Illinois Juvenile Recidivism John Baker

2. 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

3. 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

4. Current Attempts • Boot Camps • Education Programs • Mentoring Programs • Registration Programs • Residential Placement Programs

5. Ideal Plan • Program that addresses the factors that lead to recidivism • Education • Financial Skills Training • Job Training

6. 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

7. 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

8. Problem • Programs cost money • It is unlikely that the state would want to spend money on juvenile offenders during a time of economic hardship

9. 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.