Philip W. Harris

Influences of Neighborhood Context, Individual History and Parenting Behavior on Recidivism Among Juvenile Offenders

This study examined the effects of neighborhood context on juvenile recidivism to determine if neighborhoods influence the likelihood of reoffending. Although a large body of literature exists regarding the impact of environmental factors on delinquency, very little is known about the effects of these factors on juvenile recidivism. The sample analyzed includes 7,061 delinquent male juveniles committed to community-based programs in Philadelphia, of which 74% are Black, 13% Hispanic, and 11% White. Since sample youths were nested in neighborhoods, a hierarchical generalized linear model was employed to predict recidivism across three general categories of recidivism offenses: drug, violent, and property. Results indicate that predictors vary across the types of offenses and that drug offending differs from property and violent offending. Neighborhood-level factors were found to influence drug offense recidivism, but were not significant predictors of violent offenses, property offenses, or an aggregated recidivism measure, despite contrary expectations. Implications stemming from the finding that neighborhood context influences only juvenile drug recidivism are discussed.

Over-simplification and error in public opinion surveys on capital punishment

Public opinion polls have shown a marked increase in support for capital punishment. Results of a recent poll, which resulted from collaboration between the author and Associated Press, further clarify published findings of public opinion polls and challenge the common wisdom that support for the death penalty is increasing. It was found that only 12 percent of those polled opposed the death penalty in all cases, that 57 percent advocated its use under some circumstances and that 27 percent supported the death penalty for all murder cases. These findings differ little from those reported by Louis Harris in 1973 (Bedau 1982).

Factors involved in decisions on commitment to delinquency programs for first-time juvenile offenders

In this paper we focus on program commitment decisions for first-time offenders, comparing the explanatory effect of factors traditionally included in this type of analysis with that of variables describing child and family functioning. Using data derived from a subsample of youths followed by ProDES (Program Development and Evaluation System), a system of outcome evaluation that tracks youths in Philadelphias juvenile justice system, we use chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) analysis to compare the relative effects of these factors on the likelihood of commitment to in-home versus out-of-home settings. We find that child and family functioning are key factors in programmatic decisionmaking for first-time offenders, but are less important in decisionmaking for juveniles with prior offenses. Yet the treatment modalities of specific program commitments for first-time offenders frequently do not match the needs presented by the juvenile at the point of disposition.

Identifying chronic juvenile offenders

With the recent rise in juvenile offending, particularly violent crime, legislative and public attention has focused sharply on juvenile corrections. In the past few years, juvenile justice has witnessed stronger legislative dictates requiring public agencies to consider the public safety implications of their policy decisions, an increasing emphasis on outcomes-based evaluation, and a renewed interest in matching services to juveniles needs. Consequently risk classification, and specifically the identification of chronic juvenile offenders, have assumed a much higher policy profile. Here we review the historical development of risk classification in the context of a rational decision-making model. We discuss the major risk factors identified in the literature and describe in detail a study to identify and respond to chronic juvenile offenders in Orange County, California. Recognizing the advantages of the researcher/practitioner team approach adopted there, we attempt to replicate both the process and the results in Philadelphia. Using a unique juvenile justice database we test but reject the Orange County model; instead we develop a classification model of chronic offending that better fits this juvenile population. Using the Philadelphia model, we demonstrate the policy potential of risk classification by examining the impact of program type and of neighborhood on chronic offending.

The Effect of Neighborhood Characteristics and Spatial Spillover on Urban Juvenile Delinquency and Recidivism

The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and juvenile delinquency and recidivism (the proportion of delinquents who commit crimes following completion of a court-ordered program) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We acquired data on collective efficacy, socioeconomic character, and crime for input into multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) and spatial econometric regression analyses. Both delinquency and recidivism are concentrated in impoverished neighborhoods with violent crime, although this relationship is far stronger for delinquency than for recidivism. After accounting for the influence of crime and poverty, OLS regression results suggest that African American neighborhoods tend to exhibit higher delinquency rates, but lower recidivism rates, than other neighborhoods. Spatial lag models of recidivism rate indicate the presence of spatial spillover effects, which renders the influence of neighborhood racial character on recidivism rate not significant and which we speculate represents interaction among juveniles across neighborhood boundaries.

Differentiating Delinquent Youths for Program Planning and Evaluation

There is general agreement that delinquent youths are not all alike and, consequently, cannot be expected to respond to a given program in the same way. Program effects may be positive or negative, depending on person-program interactions. The aim of this article is to introduce a method for creating treatment-relevant typologies that can be continually developed and linked to outcomes within the context of an information system. To increase understanding of interactions between programs and client outcomes, a typology of clients was created based on 14 personality scales, using scores obtained at the point of program admission. This article reports on the methods used to construct the typology, the substance of the classification system, and the steps that are being taken to ensure its continued development. It also emphasizes the advantage to typology development of ongoing access to an information system that includes recidivism and other outcome data.

Developing an Empirically Based Typology of Delinquent Youths

A number of personality-based typologies have been developed to differentiatejuvenile delinquents. Some of these typologies have been faulted for theirmethod of construction, for their failure to provide outcome measures, orbecause they are dated and have not been retested with more recent delinquentpopulations. This paper describes efforts to develop an empirically derived,inductive typology of juvenile delinquents that can be used in appliedsettings to facilitate a better understanding of program outcomes and enableplacement authorities better to predict program effectiveness. The dataemployed in the analysis come from an outcome-based informationsystem—ProDES—that has been operational for more than4 years in Philadelphia. Unlike many such databases, ProDES was jointlydesigned by researchers and practitioners to serve a large system ofcommunity and institutional programs. Included among the outcome measuresare four standardized, self-reported personality scales that comprise 14subscales and form the basis of the typology. This paper describes themethods used to construct the typology, the substance of the classificationsystem, and its potential utility for program evaluation.

The Interpersonal Maturity Level Classification System I-Level

The Interpersonal Maturity Level Classification System, more commonly known as I-level, is designed to increase treatment effectiveness with delinquent youths. Consisting of both a developmental classification and a response-style typology, it clarifies differences and similarities among youths in ways that permit matching of clients with treaters, treatment strategies, and treatment environments. Its central role in Californias highly-publicized Community Treatment Project resulted in spread of its use within juvenile corrections as well as considerable acclaim and criticism from researchers and policy analysts. This article summarizes I-levels development, classification methods, current status, and future developments.

Contagion and repeat offending among urban juvenile delinquents

This research investigates the role of repeat offending and spatial contagion in juvenile delinquency recidivism using a database of 7,166 male juvenile offenders sent to community-based programs by the Family Court of Philadelphia. Results indicate evidence of repeat offending among juvenile delinquents, particularly for drug offenders. The likelihood of recidivism is influenced by ethnicity, parental criminality, and various measures of prior contact with the juvenile justice system. Spatial contagion, measured as the rate of recidivism for specific crime types among delinquents living nearby the juveniles residence, was found to strongly influence the likelihood of recidivism. These results suggest that delinquent peer contagion is offense specific, and thus facilitates repeat offending, as well as neighborhood specialization, particularly for drug offenses.

Kicked Out or Dropped Out? Disaggregating the Effects of Community-based Treatment Attrition on Juvenile Recidivism

Little is known about the effects of treatment attrition on juvenile recidivism, particularly with regard to community-based treatment. Compounding this gap in the literature is a lack of studies that have disaggregated recidivism offense type or type of treatment attrition. These distinctions are believed to have both theoretical implications for understanding recidivism and practical implications for engaging youths in community-based programs. The current study analyzes a sample of 5,517 male juvenile offenders adjudicated within Philadelphia between 1996 and 2002 to determine the effects of treatment attrition, either due to dropping out or expulsion, on juvenile recidivism, distinguished in terms of property, violent, or drug offenses. Results indicate that voluntarily dropping out of treatment significantly increases the likelihood of recidivism through drug and property offending, while expulsion from treatment significantly increases the likelihood of a violent recidivism offense, suggesting that the causes of treatment attrition and reoffending may be related.