Most young people enter the judicial system due to lack of proper parenting, peer pressure, and sometimes simply trying to survive. A lot of them came from abusive, neglectful homes. Once arrested, they have a record that hinders them from getting a good job, leading most of them to become repeat offenders. It’s just another system that fails our young adults, choosing to label them and keep them wrapped up in red tape than attempting to rehabilitate them. Some of these youth just need to know that there is hope and support for them if they want to change. JTE has a program that will help those that want — and deserve — better to get past that painful time in their lives. If you would like to be a part of The Solution, or you know someone that might need our help, click How can I help?
Statistics from BrandonGaille.com
Juvenile Repeat Offenders Statistics, written by Brandon Gaille , August 23, 2014
Juvenile Repeat Offenders Statistics, written by Brandon Gaille , August 23, 2014
Children, just like adults, don’t always make the best of choices. Sometimes a choice is so bad that a person does something that is against the law. Whether classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, the result of most charges like these is an entry into the justice system in some way. For most minors that aren’t charged with a serious felony, this typically means entering the juvenile justice system.
In 2008, over 2 million youth were arrested in the United States and 95% of them were not accused of a serious felony.
In 2008, over 2 million youth were arrested in the United States and 95% of them were not accused of a serious felony.
Three facts to know about juvenile recidivism
- 66% of youth who have been arrested will become repeat offenders within 24 months. 49% of youth become repeat offenders within the first year.
- 44% of repeat offenders are rearrested for a felony.
- Male recidivism rates [70% of offenders] are much higher than female recidivism rates [43% of offenders] in the 24 months after being first arrested.
Takeaway: One of the benefits that the juvenile justice system has is that repeat offender rates are one of the most commonly charted methods to determine if a program is succeeding or failing. Some programs even receive their funding based off of their specific recidivism rates. This encourages programs to continually follow-up with kids who have become offenders so that they can continue making positive choices after graduating from a program. As for why guys tend to become repeat offenders much more often than women, there may be a variety of reasons, from reputation to lack of a family environment. Either way, both recidivism rates are still too high.
If you’ve ever spent time in a residential treatment facility for kids, then you’ll see that all of them have a few things in common. A lot of these kids don’t have much hope. They commit a crime not because it was something fun or a thrill, but because they were desperate. There seems to be a direct link to a family’s environment to the likelihood of a child committing a crime for some reason. This risk tends to increase when a household’s parenting style is more permissive than authoritarian.
Family Environment Plays a Definite Role
- 30% of youth who have been incarcerated for committing a crime report that they have been physically or sexually abused.
- 74% of youth in the juvenile justice system have tried alcohol at least once, which is almost 20% higher compared to youth who have not been arrested.
- 84% of incarcerated youth have tried marijuana at least once.
What Is The Answer To Stop Repeat Juvenile Offenders?
- In Missouri, only 8% of the youth who go through a community-based treatment program that is limited in size to 30 youth or less return to the juvenile or adult justice system.
- Community-based programs are more expensive than standard incarceration, so many communities don’t offer or use them.
- Illinois saved over $18 million by providing incentives to communities that would send youth offenders to community-based settings over a 3 year period.
Takeaway: When youth have a chance to build skills and feel like they can compete while receiving individualized treatment, then they have the chance to build a real foundation for the life they have ahead of them. Unfortunately many budgets are being cut exactly where the money is needed to provide support in this area. Until that funding is restored, it is unlikely that repeat juvenile justice figures will decrease.