Impact of Type of Intervention on Youth Reoffending: Are Gender and Risk Level Involved?

Abstract

Abstract. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of the type of intervention on youth re-offending. Moreover, the possible influence that the offender's gender and level of risk could have on this relation was also explored. Juvenile offenders pertaining to four different types of educational interventions participated in the study (N = 210): victim-offender mediation (VOM) as a diversion procedure, and case closure, reprimand and community service as dispositions. Aged between 14-18 years, they were assessed by means of the YLS/CMI Inventory. Recidivism rates were evaluated as the number of new records in a follow-up period of 24 months. Results of this study showed that type of intervention (diversion versus dispositions) had no apparent effect on youth recidivism. Furthermore, an important aspect to consider in youth assessment was the different impact that risk level had on boys' and girls' recidivism.

Disentangling the Impact of Victim-Offender Mediation in Youth Recidivism

“…These results do not support previous studies, which found clear advantages for extrajudicial measures compared to other formal court procedures (Rodríguez, 2007;Schwalbe et al, 2012;Umbreit, 2001). On the other hand, the results from this study support previous research with Spanish youth offenders, which found no significant differences between VOM and some judicial measures (Jara et al, 2016;Villanueva et al, 2014). Extrajudicial solutions such as VOM are just as beneficial as measures involving more direct judicial involvement, such as community service.…”

“…Indeed, some authors argue that victim-offender mediation has differential effects in different countries around the world (Hansen & Umbreit, 2018). In any case, the few studies carried out with Spanish youth offenders participating in VOM did not find significant differences in recidivism compared to other educational dispositions and even case closure (Jara et al, 2016;Villanueva et al, 2014). In these studies, the measures included were very diverse in terms of their risk level, and this seems to be a variable influencing recidivism.…”

“…The level of risk of recidivism is certainly considered an important variable that must be taken into account when assessing the effectiveness of educational measures (Jara et al, 2016;Schwalbe et al, 2012). According to the risk principle, the level of offender treatment must be related to each minor's risk level of recidivism (Andrews & Bonta, 2010;Andrews & Dowden, 2006).…”

Gender and Risk Assessment in Juvenile Offenders: A Meta-Analysis

“…These mainly included studies that looked at risk domains and had a goal of comparing the coefficients of the separate risk domains between males and females, rather than determining the predictive validity of the tool. These were not included because they did not address the research question (Carnes & Martin, 2011;Costigan, 1999;Chu, Daffern, Thomas, & Lim, 2012;Illaqua, Coulson, Lombardo, & Nutbrown, 1999;Jara, Garcia-Gomis, & Villanueva, 2015;Jack, 2000;Jung, 1996;Taylor, 2009;Vitopoulos, 2011;Vitopoulos, Peterson-Badali, & Skilling, 2012).…”

Trayectorias delictivas y medidas educativas en el juzgado de menores

“…En estos casos, si se observa que el menor no requiere de ninguna medida educativa más, aparte del asesoramiento realizado por el equipo técnico en el momento de su evaluación, se procede al archivo del expediente, es decir, no se continuaría con su tramitación y sería el final del proceso judicial. Sin tener en cuenta estos expedientes archivados y en relación con los menores reincidentes, las medidas que se propusieron en mayor proporción fueron libertad vigilada, prestaciones a la comunidad, conciliaciones y tareas educativas, que coincide con las de otros estudios en una clara tendencia a favor de la aplicación de medidas en medio abierto (el 80%), respondiendo así a la filosofía y principios educativos de la Ley del Menor (Bravo et al, 2009;Capdevila et al, 2005;Jara, García-Gomis, & Villanueva, 2016).…”