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, Bouffard, J. & Bergseth, K. (2008, Volume 6). The Impact of Reentry Sevices on Juvenile Offenders’ Recidivism. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, April 2008, Bureau of Justice Statistics Criminal Offenders Statistics. March 29, 2009 Carter, F. (2008, April). Offender Employment is the Key. Corrections Today, April 2008, Conlon, B., Harris, S., Nagel, J., Hillman, M., & Hanson, R. (2008, February). Education: Don’t Leave Prison Without It. Corrections Today, February 2008, Flash, K. (2003, December, Volume 20). Treatment Strategies for Juvenile Delinquency: Alternative Solutions. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 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, 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, 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, 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, Steiner, B & Giacomazzi, A. (2007, Volume 87). Juvenile Waiver, Boot Camp, and Recidivism in a Northwest State. The Prison Journal, June 2007, Visher, C., & Lattimore, P. (2008, April). Study Examines Prisoners’ Reentry Needs. Corrections Today, April 2008,