Predictors of Recidivism to a Juvenile Assessment Center: A Three Year Study

ABSTRACT

We report the results of the predictors of recidivism to the Hillsborough County, Florida Juvenile Assessment Center involving over 9,000 youths processed at the center during the period May 5, 1993 through December 31, 1995. The youths accounted for nearly 20,000 admissions. Significant relationships were found between the youths' demographic characteristics, their dependency referral factors (physical abuse and neglect), and delinquency referral history variables (property, violence and public disorder offenses; and drug offenses), and their recidivism to the Juvenile Assessment Center. The service delivery and policy implications of these results are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Recidivism
• Rearrest
• Juvenile Crime
• High-Risk Youth
• Delinquency