This Is AuburnElectronic Theses and Dissertations

Comprehensive Recidivism Data from Juvenile Delinquents and Juvenile Sex Offenders

Date

2010-10-15

Author

Cook, Patrick

Type of Degree

dissertation

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Each year in the United States, juveniles commit a significant percentage of the total number of sex offenses. Moreover, available recidivism data examining sexual re-offense rates with juvenile sex offenders vary considerably as reported estimates range between 3% and 70%. Additionally, a considerable proportion of juvenile sex offenders are subsequently rearrested for a non-sex offense. The current study reported the rate at which two groups of juvenile offenders (sex and non-sex offenders) were re-arrested for a subsequent sex or non-sex offense after an average follow-up period of 64.96 months (SD = 23.80) for juvenile sex offenders and 55.20 months (SD = 20.41) for juvenile non-sex offenders. Additional analyses examined the predictive ability validity of instruments including the Juvenile Sex Offender Protocol, 2nd Edition, and the Psychopathy Checklist, Youth Version, to predict sexual and nonsexual re-arrest. Of the juveniles originally adjudicated for a sex offense, 3.9% were re-arrested for a subsequent sex offense and 35.2% were re-arrested for a subsequent non-sex offense. The majority of juvenile non-sex offenders (74.3%) were rearrested for a subsequent offense with 2.9% re-arrested for a sex offense. Though re-arrests were successfully predicted above the level of chance, the modest levels of successful prediction was not adequate for practical use. Treatment intervention aimed at reducing general delinquency with juvenile sex offenders would appear to be warranted.