Challenges Facing Crossover Youth: An Examination of Juvenile‐justice Decision Making and Recidivism

Abstract

Although a substantial amount of research documents the increased likelihood of maltreated youths to engage in delinquency, very little is known about them once they cross into delinquency. These youths are often referred to as "crossover youth," "dual jurisdiction," or "dually involved" youth, and based on a growing amount of research, it appears these youths face a number of challenges. They have significant educational problems, high rates of placement changes and high rates of substance abuse and mental health problems, and when they enter the juvenile justice system, they are more likely to stay longer and penetrate deeper into the system then their nonmaltreated counterparts. Using data from Los Angeles County (N = 581), the purpose of this study is to identify what characteristics among a crossover population are more likely to result in receiving harsher dispositions and higher recidivism rates.f cre_1312 305..321

Maltreatment, family environment, and social risk factors: Determinants of the child welfare to juvenile justice transition among maltreated children and adolescents

“…Research suggests that children and youth who experience service systems transitions are more likely to come from disadvantaged family backgrounds that have less stable family relationships and lower social support compared to single system-involved youth (Herz et al, 2010; Ryan, Williams, & Courtney, 2013). For instance, two-thirds of youth who experienced a CWS-JJS transition were in an out-of-home placement when they were arrested (Huang, Ryan, & Herz, 2012), two-thirds had a history of running away (Dale, Baker, Anastasio, & Purcell, 2007), and up to one-third had parents with drug and alcohol problems (Ryan et al, 2013).…”

“…More commonly referred to as crossover youth (Herz et al, 2012), these children and adolescents are a high risk and vulnerable population with complex needs, likely because of their experience of multiple adversities and trauma (Baglivio et al, 2015; Herz, Ryan, & Bilchik, 2010). For example, maltreatment, including neglect, and physical, sexual, and other types of abuse, is among the most common risk factors associated with service systems crossover (Herz et al, 2012; Mersky, Topitzes, & Reynolds, 2012).…”

Préjugé dans la détermination des peines accordées aux jeunes doublement insérés dans le système public de protection et de justice

“…Enfin, devant la faible proportion de variance expliquée et le taux de classement correct à 97,8 % à la fois pour le modèle vide et le modèle d'analyse, d'autres variables importantes pourraient expliquer les peines rendues à l'endroit des jeunes à double statut. Dans cet ordre d'idées, on propose d'envisager des facteurs éventuels tels que la détention provisoire, la représentation juridique, la pauvreté, la fréquentation irrégulière d'un établissement scolaire, le statut de famille monoparentale et les conditions de vie actuelles (Herz et al, 2010 ;Ryan et al, 2007).…”

Delinquency Predictors: Offending to Commitment

“…In this case, if a juvenile had been in detention previously, their odds of re-offending increased by more than four times. Additionally, if an adolescent had a prior offense record, their odds of a new offense increased by 2.8 times (Herz et al, 2010).…”

“…This recidivism rate displays high reoccurring offending among juveniles. In an analysis by Herz, Ryan, and Bilchik (2010) using data collected from Los Angeles County (N=581), predictors for adolescent new arrests were examined.…”