What is the Price of Failure? A Comparative Analysis of Prevention and Delinquency M ary M agee Q uinn and Jeffrey Poirier, American Institutes for Research National Center on Education, Disability, and Juvenile Justice (EDJJ)

Overview The role of school-based prevention in meeting the needs of at-risk youth The importance of ensuring at-risk youth are educated The financial and social costs of not preventing juvenile/adult crime The impact of the justice system on juvenile offenders and their families The long-term benefits and savings of reduced delinquency WWW.EDJJ.ORG

The role of school-based prevention in meeting the needs of at-risk youth

The importance of ensuring at-risk youth are educated

The financial and social costs of not preventing juvenile/adult crime

The impact of the justice system on juvenile offenders and their families

The long-term benefits and savings of reduced delinquency

Why Prevention? An 18 year old is five times more likely to be arrested for a property crime than a 35 year old In 1997, 15-19 year olds comprised 7% of the overall population but 1 out 5 arrests for violent offenses and 1 out of 3 property crime arrests Overall, teenagers are responsible for 20-30% of all crime Source: National Bureau of Economic Research, 1999 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

An 18 year old is five times more likely to be arrested for a property crime than a 35 year old

In 1997, 15-19 year olds comprised 7% of the overall population but 1 out 5 arrests for violent offenses and 1 out of 3 property crime arrests

Overall, teenagers are responsible for 20-30% of all crime

Source: National Bureau of Economic Research, 1999

Levels of Prevention WWW.EDJJ.ORG Primary Secondary Tertiary

Primary Prevention Strategies applied to intact groups or populations, such as a school-wide discipline plan used to help all students in a school meet behavioral and academic expectations Focuses on avoiding the initial occurrence of a problem WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Strategies applied to intact groups or populations, such as a school-wide discipline plan used to help all students in a school meet behavioral and academic expectations

Focuses on avoiding the initial occurrence of a problem

Reading Programs Youth in Correctional Facilities Median age 15.5 years 9th grade (placement) 4th grade reading level (mean) More than 1/3 read below 4th grade WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Youth in Correctional Facilities

Median age 15.5 years

9th grade (placement)

4th grade reading level (mean)

More than 1/3 read below 4th grade

Adult Literacy WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Reading Programs Prison-based literacy programs are significantly more effective than boot camps or shock incarceration The more education prisoners receives, the less likely they are to be re-arrested or re-imprisoned WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Prison-based literacy programs are significantly more effective than boot camps or shock incarceration

The more education prisoners receives, the less likely they are to be re-arrested or re-imprisoned

Literacy Quality reading programs can reduce recidivism by 20%. Probationers had significantly lower re-arrest rates (35% vs. 46%) Recipients of GED had significantly lower re-arrest rates (24% vs. 46%) Inmates with 2 years of college (10% vs. 60%) WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Quality reading programs can reduce recidivism by 20%.

Probationers had significantly lower re-arrest rates (35% vs. 46%)

Recipients of GED had significantly lower re-arrest rates (24% vs. 46%)

Inmates with 2 years of college (10% vs. 60%)

Education Level WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Levels of Prevention WWW.EDJJ.ORG Primary Secondary Tertiary

Secondary Prevention Focus on preventing repeated occurrences of problem behavior through more targeted interventions Efforts provide additional support when universal preventative efforts are not sufficient WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Focus on preventing repeated occurrences of problem behavior through more targeted interventions

Efforts provide additional support when universal preventative efforts are not sufficient

Secondary Prevention Example: students who have more than one disciplinary referral in a given month for fighting may be provided with special instruction in conflict resolution or social skills WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Example: students who have more than one disciplinary referral in a given month for fighting may be provided with special instruction in conflict resolution or social skills

High/Scope Preschool Programs Benefits fewer acts of misconduct higher grade point averages higher rates of employment lower rates of welfare dependence WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Benefits

fewer acts of misconduct

higher grade point averages

higher rates of employment

lower rates of welfare dependence

High/Scope Preschool Programs Costs $39,278 per child $964 increased need for funds for secondary education programs Savings reduced need for special education reduced crime rate $6,495 lifetime tax payments WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Costs

$39,278 per child

$964 increased need for funds for secondary education programs

Savings

reduced need for special education

reduced crime rate

$6,495 lifetime tax payments

Tertiary Prevention Most intensive level of support and intervention Attempts to reduce the impact of a condition or problem on the individual's ability to function in the least restrictive setting WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Most intensive level of support and intervention

Attempts to reduce the impact of a condition or problem on the individual's ability to function in the least restrictive setting

Tertiary Prevention Example: the needs of students identified as having an emotional/behavioral disability are addressed through special education services and behavior intervention plans so that they may benefit from the educational program Includes outside agency support WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Example: the needs of students identified as having an emotional/behavioral disability are addressed through special education services and behavior intervention plans so that they may benefit from the educational program

Includes outside agency support

Home Visit Programs Costs $2700/year from third trimester through age 2 $6000/year for day care and early childhood education Benefits 11 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent Source: RAND, 1996 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Costs

$2700/year from third trimester through age 2

$6000/year for day care and early childhood education

Benefits

11 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent

Source: RAND, 1996

Parent Training Costs $500/year per family for instruction and supplies $2500/year per family for program management Benefits 157 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent Source: RAND, 1996 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Costs

$500/year per family for instruction and supplies

$2500/year per family for program management

Benefits

157 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent

Source: RAND, 1996

High School Graduation Adult Inmates in State Facilities 70% have not completed high school 46% have had some high school 16.4 % have had no high school at all Source: U.S. Department of Justice, 1996 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Adult Inmates in State Facilities

70% have not completed high school

46% have had some high school

16.4 % have had no high school at all

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, 1996

Graduation Incentives Costs $3130/year for 4 years for each youth Benefits 258 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent on incentives Source: RAND, 1996 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Costs

$3130/year for 4 years for each youth

Benefits

258 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent on incentives

Source: RAND, 1996

Delinquent Programs Costs $10,000/year per youth (conservative estimate) Benefits 72 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Costs

$10,000/year per youth (conservative estimate)

Benefits

72 serious crimes prevented per million dollars spent

WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Students with Disabilities The arrest rate among high school dropouts with disabilities was 56%, compared with 16% among graduates, and 10% among those who "aged out" of school. Among dropouts with serious emotional disturbances, the arrest rate was 73% three to five years after secondary school Source: SRI International, 1992 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

The arrest rate among high school dropouts with disabilities was 56%, compared with 16% among graduates, and 10% among those who "aged out" of school.

Among dropouts with serious emotional disturbances, the arrest rate was 73% three to five years after secondary school

Source: SRI International, 1992

The Costs of Crime for Communities and Victims Lost property and wages Medical and psychological expenses Decreased productivity Pain and suffering Decreased quality of life/societal well-being (e.g., fear of crime, changing lifestyle due to risk of victimization) WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Lost property and wages

Medical and psychological expenses

Decreased productivity

Pain and suffering

Decreased quality of life/societal well-being (e.g., fear of crime, changing lifestyle due to risk of victimization)

Incarceration (prisons/correctional facilities) Increased demand for criminal/civil justice services Opportunity costs: since greater percentage of government expenditures must be dedicated to crime-related costs, fewer resources are available for education/other government services The Costs of Crime for Communities and Victims WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Incarceration (prisons/correctional facilities)

Increased demand for criminal/civil justice services

Opportunity costs: since greater percentage of government expenditures must be dedicated to crime-related costs, fewer resources are available for education/other government services

Who incurs these costs? Crime victims Government agencies Taxpayers Society WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Crime victims

Government agencies

Taxpayers

Society

Cost of Victimization 23% of all U.S. households victimized Crime victims lost $17.6 billion in direct costs in 1992 (includes losses from property theft/damage, cash losses, medical expenses, and amount of pay lost because of injury/activities related to the crime) Crimes included: attempts and completed offenses of rape, robbery, assault, personal and household theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft Source: U.S. Department of Justice, National Crime Victimization Survey, 1994 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

23% of all U.S. households victimized

Crime victims lost $17.6 billion in direct costs in 1992 (includes losses from property theft/damage, cash losses, medical expenses, and amount of pay lost because of injury/activities related to the crime)

Crimes included: attempts and completed offenses of rape, robbery, assault, personal and household theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, National Crime Victimization Survey, 1994

Expenditures for the Criminal and Civil Justice System Total: $147 billion in 1999 (police protection, corrections, and judicial/legal activities) 309% increase from 1982-1999 Local government funded half of these expenses (note: local government funded 44% of education costs in 1999) Source: U.S. Department of Justice, 1999 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Total: $147 billion in 1999 (police protection, corrections, and judicial/legal activities)

309% increase from 1982-1999

Local government funded half of these expenses (note: local government funded 44% of education costs in 1999)

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, 1999

Expenditures for the Criminal and Civil Justice System States contributed another 39% Criminal and civil justice expenditures comprised 7.7% of all state and local expenditures Source: U.S. Department of Justice, 1999 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

States contributed another 39%

Criminal and civil justice expenditures comprised 7.7% of all state and local expenditures

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, 1999

Costs of Juvenile Crime A life of crime costs society $1.5-$1.8 million Cost of juvenile crime: Victim costs: $62,000-$250,000 Criminal justice: $21,000-$84,000 Total: $83,000-$335,000 For every 10 crimes committed, only one is caught Chronic juvenile offenders are very likely to become involved in the adult system Source: Cohen, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 1998 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

A life of crime costs society $1.5-$1.8 million

Cost of juvenile crime:

Victim costs: $62,000-$250,000

Criminal justice: $21,000-$84,000

Total: $83,000-$335,000

For every 10 crimes committed, only one is caught

Chronic juvenile offenders are very likely to become involved in the adult system

Source: Cohen, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 1998

Costs of Dropping Out In 1991, annual cost of providing for youth who fail to complete high school and their families: $76 billion Lost wage productivity: $300,000 Source: Joint Economic Committee, 1991 WWW.EDJJ.ORG

In 1991, annual cost of providing for youth who fail to complete high school and their families: $76 billion

Lost wage productivity: $300,000

Source: Joint Economic Committee, 1991

Cost of Effective Prevention and Intervention Source: Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2001 WWW.EDJJ.ORG Program Net Cost per Participant Taxpayer Savings Taxpayer Savings and Victim Benefits Benefit-to-Cost Ratio Early Childhood Education for Disadvantaged Youth $8,936 -$4,754 $6,972 $1.78 Quantum Opportunities Program $18,964 -$8,855 $16,428 $1.87 Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care $2,052 $21,836 $87,622 $43.70

The Costs of Crime for Juvenile Offenders Separation and isolation In correctional settings: Negative behaviors are often reinforced Higher rates of sexual victimization and suicide For youth with cognitive disabilities, it is difficult to un-learn the prison experience Lack of special education services and an absence of skill-based programming WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Separation and isolation

In correctional settings:

Negative behaviors are often reinforced

Higher rates of sexual victimization and suicide

For youth with cognitive disabilities, it is difficult to un-learn the prison experience

Lack of special education services and an absence of skill-based programming

The Costs of Crime for Juvenile Offenders For youth who are sent to adult facilities, there are higher rates of re-offending and the number of serious crimes committed More youth today are being referred to correctional settings for behaviors that are mental health related Competing missions within the juvenile justice system (protection v. rehabilitation) The juvenile court is not familiar with the impact of mental health/cognitive disabilities on behaviors WWW.EDJJ.ORG

For youth who are sent to adult facilities, there are higher rates of re-offending and the number of serious crimes committed

More youth today are being referred to correctional settings for behaviors that are mental health related

Competing missions within the juvenile justice system (protection v. rehabilitation)

The juvenile court is not familiar with the impact of mental health/cognitive disabilities on behaviors

The Cost of Ignoring Families Family involvement (surrogates, extended family, etc.) and stability are critical to the success of prevention and corrections programs The family will be a part of the youth’s life long after the professionals leave When parents do not have the skills/knowledge to advocate for their child’s learning/mental health needs, their children are more likely to drop out of school and become involved in the justice system WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Family involvement (surrogates, extended family, etc.) and stability are critical to the success of prevention and corrections programs

The family will be a part of the youth’s life long after the professionals leave

When parents do not have the skills/knowledge to advocate for their child’s learning/mental health needs, their children are more likely to drop out of school and become involved in the justice system

The Cost of Ignoring Families Families are seen as the problem and not part of the solution, leading to increased reliance on foster care and costly, ineffective multiple placements Families become distrustful of the systems that have failed their children often for many years The rate of recidivism is impacted by the degree to which youthful offenders have a stable adult in their lives WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Families are seen as the problem and not part of the solution, leading to increased reliance on foster care and costly, ineffective multiple placements

Families become distrustful of the systems that have failed their children often for many years

The rate of recidivism is impacted by the degree to which youthful offenders have a stable adult in their lives

Conclusion Prevention/intervention programs for at-risk youth will not eliminate juvenile crime, but can reduce it and will bring net benefits to both society and the juvenile Have a long-term vision when considering the costs of prevention programs Consider the impact of incarceration on juvenile offenders and the role of families WWW.EDJJ.ORG

Prevention/intervention programs for at-risk youth will not eliminate juvenile crime, but can reduce it and will bring net benefits to both society and the juvenile

Have a long-term vision when considering the costs of prevention programs

Consider the impact of incarceration on juvenile offenders and the role of families