Improving Programming in Juvenile Detention: The Impact of Project Safe Neighborhoods Youth Outreach Forums

• DOI: 10.1007/s10940-024-09584-5
• Publication Date: 2024-05-28T21:03:06Z
• Authors: Jonathan M V. Davis; Tracey Meares; Emily Arnesen
• Keywords: Outreach; Recidivism; Juvenile court

Abstract Objectives A growing body of evidence suggests focused deterrence strategies successfully reduce criminal behavior. Very little this comes from randomized experiments. This paper takes a step toward filling gap in the literature. We present results experiment evaluating series youth outreach forums that leverage several strategies. Methods presents controlled trial program run Cook County Juvenile Detention Center (JTDC) by Northern Illinois Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force. Results find caused 20 percent reduction number new spells at JTDC eight months after random assignment and reduced total arrests 18 first year assignment. While both these impacts are somewhat imprecisely estimated, is driven statistically significant 43 40 reductions for violent drug crime, respectively, large but less precisely estimated 30 property crime. These correspond to very valuable proportionally social costs Our estimates also suggest increase attachment school. Conclusion The our study juvenile detention centers may better future behavior residents implementing similar programs program.