SAC Publication Digest - May 2005 - Justice Research and Statistics ...

offense characteristics (felony, misdemeanor, and status offenses) of the juvenile population and
provides information on juveniles transferred to the adult system.
COLORADO
EVALUATION OF THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER SYSTEM (YOS) IN COLORADO
Jeffrey Rosky, Diane Pasini-Hill, Kerry Lowden, Linda Harrison, and Kim English
November 2004, 82 pp.
This report is on the second evaluation of the Youth Offender System (YOS) in Colorado. The
study looks at recidivism rates and characteristics of offenders, and provides a broader picture
than the first of the operation of the program from the standpoint of residents, staff, treatment
providers, and administrators. Self-administered questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, the
YOS education database, and the Department of Corrections Information System were used for
data collection. The educational component of the program was identified by residents and staff
as the most beneficial component, and those who obtained a GED were less likely to recidivate.
The need for incentives to reward progress in the program was identified as well as the need to
separate residents who are in different phases of the program. Recommendations are also given
as to how YOS could better reach intended goals.
DELAWARE
DELAWARE SERIOUS JUVENILE OFFENDER PROGRAM: AN EVALUATION OF THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF
OPERATION
Jorge Rodriguez-Labarca and John P. O’Connell
August 2004, 40 pp.
The Serious Juvenile Offender (SJO) program was evaluated to determine its impact on
recidivism (readmission to secure placement or rearrest). The SJO program targets chronic
juvenile offenders ages 16 years or older with a prior incarceration for a felony who have just
been released from placement for a violent felony, drug offense or weapons offense. Program
activities include curfews, intense surveillance, immediate detention upon arrest, and swift
court processing. Of those admitted in 1999 and 2000, 91% were rearrested for a misdemeanor,
felony, or technical probation violation within 24 months of program admittance. Recidivism
was lower, primarily because of arrests and incarcerations for technical probation violations, for
a comparison group of juveniles who met program criteria but were not selected for the
program.
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