Date of Award

1994

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Human Resource Education and Workforce Development

First Advisor

Vincent Kuetemeyer

Abstract

Nationally, over $1.6 billion is spent incarcerating juveniles. Prevention, rather than correction is needed to reduce these costs. The cost in human lives exceeds the 56,000 incarcerated juveniles. It touches more than those who commit the offense. Victims, families of victims and families of the convicted juvenile also pay a price to one degree or another. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe variables which may impact recidivism rates of selected juveniles who were charged and have arrest records on file. The research was based upon East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, juvenile arrest files from 1981 through 1992. Variables which were identified include Age at First Offense, Educational Level, Gender, Number of Times Charged, Parental Influence and Race. The model developed by the Multiple Regression Analysis returned the following: Education level explained 17.22%, Age at First Offense explained an additional 4.75% with Gender explaining 2.58% and Race explaining only 1.98% of the total variance. Formal education does play a part in recidivism. The more academically educated the juvenile, the less incidence of court referrals are documented. Although juvenile offenders who participated in Vocational Education reported less incidence of recidivism than Alternative Education, we must strive to keep our young people in school. Both Age and Educational Level at the time of the First Offense do indicate that the younger the juvenile is, the more likely recidivism is to occur. Procedures, forms, and rationale for analysis is included to assist others to develop like research projects.

Pages

156

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.5861

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