Grunwald, H., Lockwood, B., Harris, P., & Mennis, J. (2010). Influences of neighborhood context, individual history and parenting behavior on recidivism among juvenile offenders. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 39(9), 1067-1079. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

1. Running head: JUVENILE OFFENDERS: TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS AND RECIDIVISM 1
Research Question: Is there a difference in recidivism rates of urban students in southeastern
United States leaving the juvenile justice system who receive transition or community-based
interventions versus those not receiving interventions?
LaKeisha Weber
Xavier University of Louisiana
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for EDCG 5010 Research Methods
Sr. Alicia Costa, S.S.F., Professor
February 17, 2014

2. JUVENILE OFFENDERS: TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS AND RECIDIVISM 2
Grunwald, H., Lockwood, B., Harris, P., & Mennis, J. (2010). Influences of neighborhood
context, individual history and parenting behavior on recidivism among juvenile
offenders. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 39(9), 1067-1079. Retrieved from Academic
Search Complete database.
Critique
When individuals commit crimes, people often attempt to make a connection between
the offender, the nature of the crime, and the environment the offender resides. This study seeks
to determine whether environmental factors affect the recidivism of juvenile offenders. Specific
criminal offenses were analyzed during this study; (1) property damage, (2) violent crimes, and
(3) drug related crimes. If a link can be found between recidivism and these criminal offenses,
the information can be used to lessen adolescent re-offense.
The research sample consisted of 7,061 male juvenile offenders. Conducted in a
Philadelphia community-based release facility, 74% of the males were African American, 13%
Hispanic and 11% white. The researches hypothesized that neighborhood factors with have a
substantial effect on the juveniles who have committed drug and violent crimes. As far as
property crimes, the researchers hypothesized that the environment will have less of an effect on
these offenses.
To gather the data needed for the study, the authors used a Philadelphia Family Court
database called Program Development and Evaluation System (ProDES). This system contains
information on juvenile offenders in community-based and residential programs. Using ProDES,
the researchers were able to narrow down the sample to only include juveniles who committed
crimes within a specific time frame. The ArcView GIS 9.2 program was used to map out the
neighborhoods of the participants.

3. JUVENILE OFFENDERS: TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS AND RECIDIVISM 3
Social capital and the neighborhood disadvantage were determined and referred to as
neighborhood-level predictors. Philadelphia’s Household Health Survey (HHS) is a survey
disseminated to the citizens of the city biannually to assess the health and attitude of individuals
in households around the city. From this survey the researchers gathered information about the
following neighborhood-level predictors; (1) adult living below the poverty line, (2)
unemployment, (3) welfare participation, and (4) yearly household income A hierarchical linear
models (HLM) was used to compare the HHS data (predictors) to the participants and their
cases. The results revealed that 40% of the sample recidivated; (a) 14% drug crimes, (b) 11%
property offense, and (c) 10% violent crime. African American compromised 75% of the 40%
sample of recidivists. Caucasians and Latinos make up 11% and 13% of the sample. There is a
significant link between economic disadvantage, social relationships, and drug offenders. As
long as the juveniles returned back to the same disadvantaged environment, they had a higher
chance of recidivating. Poverty increases recidivism. Violent crimes often times resulted from
dysfunctional family relationships and abuse. Property offenders and violent offenders alike were
found to be young, impulsive, and suffering from some form of parental criminality and
problems.
In conclusion, the environment of the youth does play a role in recidivism of individuals
committing property, violent and drug-related crimes. The limitations to this study include the
use of specific predictors, criminal offenses and the all-male sample.

4. JUVENILE OFFENDERS: TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS AND RECIDIVISM 4
References
Cottle, C. C., Lee, R. J., & Heilbrun, K. (2001). The prediction of criminal recidivism in
juveniles. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 28, 367–394.
Dembo, R., Schmeidler, J., Nini-Gough, B., Sue, C., Borden, P., & Manning, D. (1998).
Predictors of recidivism to a juvenile assessment center: A three year study. Journal of
Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 7, 57-77.
Wikstrom, P. O. H., & Loeber, R. (2000). Do disadvantaged neighborhoods cause well-adjusted
children to become adolescent delinquents? A study of male juvenile serious offending,
individual risk and protective factors, and neighborhood context. Criminology, 38, 1109–
1142.