Citation

Putnins AL. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Criminol. 2005; 38(3): 324-339.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1375/acri.38.3.324

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The development of a recidivism risk index for use with young offenders is described. A construction sample was drawn from the first 458 incarcerated youths in South Australia approached to undertake a routine standardised psychosocial screening. Items that met the selection criteria for the risk index were number of prior proven offences, current age, age at first offence, alcohol and inhalant use frequencies, and ADHD signs. The resulting index had significant correlations (.28-.53) with 6-month postrelease recidivism status among various assessment, age, gender and ethnic subgroups. A correlation of.36 was obtained between the index and 6-month postrelease recidivism status with an independent sample of 149 incarcerated youths. The results compare well with the predictive validities reported elsewhere for other risk instruments. An important use for the index could be to guide more intensive services toward those who are at highest risk of reoffending.

Keywords: Juvenile justice;

Language: en