Demographic variables, base rates, and personality characteristics associated with recidivism in male delinquents.

Abstract

Demographic variables, base rates, and personality characteristics of male delinquents were explored in three studies. The total population discharged from a treatment-oriented facility (N = 455) was followed, and data were recovered from 98%. The recidivism rate was 37.5%, which compares to the recidivism base rates found in similar rehabilitation facilities. Significantly higher rates of recidivism were found among the younger delinquents, delinquents with prior institutional experience, and delinquents who had previously run away from an institution. Two studies of recidivism and impulsivity, foresight and planning ability, delay of gratification, and staff ratings of institutional adjustment are reported. Measures of impulse control and foresight and planning ability differentiated 10 recidivists from 10 nonrecidivists. A follow-up study of 68 consecutively discharged subjects from the same institution replicated the findings with respect to impulse control but not foresight and planning ability. One measure of future time perspective and some staff ratings were also related to recidivism. The Porteus (J-score measure of impulsiveness shows the most promise with respect to predicting recidivism.

Distributive justice development and social class.

“…In other words, it could be that in both grades the lower-class children do not behave according to the expected norm; the children accurately perceive this, and therefore the sociometric pattern reflects it. Previous findings linking behavioral problems with the lower class would support this interpretation (Roberts, Erikson, Riddle, & Bacon, 1974). Another interpreta-tion is that the social classes are not perceiving social reality as it is.…”

Methodological issues in research with correctional populations.

“…Although the no-contact and reincarceration criteria for nonrecidivist and recidivist may assure maximum differences between groups (and maximum differences in criminal justice system reentanglement), all gradations of lawviolative behavior and criminal justice system contact in between these extremes is ignored. Some investigators (e.g., Roberts, Erikson, Riddle, & Bacon, 1974) improved their methodology by including all of these gradations into a third, some contact, group. Finer differentiations (e.g., by frequency and type of offense) with more than three groups could yield still more accurate and complete information.…”

Delinquency, delay of gratification, recidivism, and the Porteus Maze Tests.

“…The evidence is similarly equivocal with respect to recidivism. Roberts, Erikson, Riddle, and Bacon (1974) performed two studies concerned with personality variables associated with recidivism in delinquent males, following release from a training school. In the first study they found that TQ was lower for recidivists than for nonrecidivists, but in the follow-up study they failed to replicate these findings.…”

“…In two studies, Roberts, Erikson, Riddle, and Bacon (1974) examined the relationship of Q scores to recidivism in delinquent males, following release from a training school. In the first study recidivism was defined in terms of reincarceration during a 1-to 3-year follow-up period following release.…”