James B. Wells

Sentence Completion and Recidivism among Juveniles Referred to Teen Courts

This study focuses on sentence completion and recidivism of juveniles referred to teen courts for disposition by their peers as an alternative to judicial sentencing. More than 70 percent of the referrals completed their sentences, and just less than a third recidivated over a 1-year follow-up. In multivariate models, sentence completion was significantly less likely among persons sentenced to community service, and recidivism was significantly higher among juveniles with prior records and those who were sentenced to curfews. The findings imply the need for teen courts to be guided by sound program development efforts that are based on research so that they may circumvent the panacea phenomenon.

A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF A SHOCK INCARCERATION AND AFTERCARE PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS

Research conducted to date has not shown juvenile shock incarceration (boot camp) programs to favorably affect recidivism. The authors extend the literature by comparing the recidivism of juveniles who completed a shock incarceration program that included a systematic aftercare phase with recidivism among a matched control group of juveniles released from more traditional residential placements. Findings were mixed as regards recidivism at 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-ups. There were no differences in reconvictions at 8-or 12-month follow-ups and no differences in reoffense seriousness across time frames. However, a significantly lower proportion of the boot camp group recidivated during the initial 4-month aftercare phase, and at 12 months, a lower proportion had been recommitted to residential placements. Older juveniles had significantly higher recidivism scores than did younger ones. The findings demonstrate the importance of combining shock incarceration with quality aftercare.

Are there gangs in schools? It depends upon whom you ask

Abstract In the past, juvenile gang researchers have focused primarily on the characteristics of gangs and the prevalence of gangs in communities and schools. One of the greatest limitations of this research, however, surrounds the lack of agreement on the definition of a gang and, consequently, the prevalence of gangs in the community and in schools. In this paper, we attempt to provide a new method to (1) define a gang, from a triangulation of the perspectives of law enforcement, school principals, and gang researchers and (2) estimate the prevalence of gangs in schools in a three-state region. We determine that the type of definition used dramatically impacts estimates of the prevalence of gangs in schools. The limitations and implications of this finding for school administrators and law enforcement are also discussed. In the past, juvenile gang researchers have focused primarily on the characteristics of gangs and the prevalence of gangs in communities and schools. One of the greatest limitations of this research, however, surrounds the lack of agreement on the definition of a gang and, consequently, the prevalence of gangs in the community and in schools. In this paper, we attempt to provide a new method to (1) define a gang, from a triangulation of the perspectives of law enforcement, school principals, and gang researchers and (2) estimate the prevalence of gangs in schools in a three-state region. We determine that the type of definition used dramatically impacts estimates of the prevalence of gangs in schools. The limitations and implications of this finding for school administrators and law enforcement are also discussed.

A Model of Turnover Intent and Turnover Behavior Among Staff in Juvenile Corrections

This study extended prior research on staff turnover in adult corrections to juvenile corrections by analyzing direct and indirect interrelationships among personal, work environment, job attitude, and turnover variables. Data came from a mail survey of youth worker staff as well as from agency archives. Race, age, tenure, input into decisions, and job stress had significant direct effects on job satisfaction, while organizational commitment was directly affected by gender, stress, and satisfaction. Tenure, satisfaction, and commitment directly affected intent, while only race and age directly affected actual turnover. Satisfaction and commitment performed significant mediating functions. Results suggest that staff turnover intent can be reduced by promoting job satisfaction and organizational commitment and, further, that these attitudes can be improved by providing staff greater input into decisions and reducing job stress. Future research must specify conditions under which intent predicts behavior, as the two were not significantly related in this study.

Predictors of Turnover Intention Among Staff in Juvenile Correctional Facilities

Staff turnover poses challenges for many correctional organizations. Though a growing body of research exists on turnover intention in adult corrections, few studies have examined the topic in juvenile corrections, and none have measured organizational commitment—a variable known to predict turnover intent in adult corrections. Using survey data, this study examines the utility of personal characteristics, work environment variables, and job attitudes in predicting intentions of staff in juvenile correctional facilities to quit their jobs within 12 months following survey administration. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment were the best predictors. In turn, considerable variability in these two job attitudes was explained by work environment variables. Implications are discussed for future research and for improving the work environment to better control turnover.