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

Abstract

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 Philadelphia's 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.