Mauri Tu, Mauri Ora: A Process Evaluation

<p>Rates of violent reoffending amongst young offenders has been a cause of concern for those involved in the youth justice (YJ) system in New Zealand (NZ), and across the world. Although, the rates of youth offending in NZ appear to be declining, there is a trend of increasing violent youth offending (Ministry of Justice; MOJ, 2010, 2012). Therefore, the search for effective and generalisable treatment programmes for violent young offenders has been a focus for those involved in juvenile offending research (Caldwell & Van Rybroek, 2013). The Mauri Tu Mauri Ora programme (MTMO; Kilgour & Borg, 2016), was developed in 2014 to provide an “intensive rehabilitation option for youth between 16 and 20 years of age who are deemed to be at a high risk of re-offending” (p. 27). However, since its implementation, there has been no systematic evaluation of its effectiveness. This process evaluation investigated how the MTMO programme was operating so its strengths and areas of improvement could be better understood. This was achieved by detailing the characteristics of the programme; the extent to which it met the needs of key stakeholders; evaluating the specific components of the programme; the working relationship between staff; how well the programme was delivered; and identifying possible areas of improvement. The perspectives of participants resulting in 28 subthemes associated with: initial engagement and assessment; treatment delivery and engagement; the transition phase; unit environment; and staff services. Along with a discussion, these findings identify areas the MTMO programme can build on its strengths and areas it can make improvements.</p>

Mauri Tu, Mauri Ora: A Process Evaluation

<p>Rates of violent reoffending amongst young offenders has been a cause of concern for those involved in the youth justice (YJ) system in New Zealand (NZ), and across the world. Although, the rates of youth offending in NZ appear to be declining, there is a trend of increasing violent youth offending (Ministry of Justice; MOJ, 2010, 2012). Therefore, the search for effective and generalisable treatment programmes for violent young offenders has been a focus for those involved in juvenile offending research (Caldwell & Van Rybroek, 2013). The Mauri Tu Mauri Ora programme (MTMO; Kilgour & Borg, 2016), was developed in 2014 to provide an “intensive rehabilitation option for youth between 16 and 20 years of age who are deemed to be at a high risk of re-offending” (p. 27). However, since its implementation, there has been no systematic evaluation of its effectiveness. This process evaluation investigated how the MTMO programme was operating so its strengths and areas of improvement could be better understood. This was achieved by detailing the characteristics of the programme; the extent to which it met the needs of key stakeholders; evaluating the specific components of the programme; the working relationship between staff; how well the programme was delivered; and identifying possible areas of improvement. The perspectives of participants resulting in 28 subthemes associated with: initial engagement and assessment; treatment delivery and engagement; the transition phase; unit environment; and staff services. Along with a discussion, these findings identify areas the MTMO programme can build on its strengths and areas it can make improvements.</p>

Attitudes towards juvenile offenders in Serbia – an exploratory study

In this study, we explored the attitudes of the general public towards juvenile offenders. Participants (N=1264), aged 18-87 (M=34), responded to a 17-item scale created based on public comments to news about juvenile offending on news portals and social media. Socio-demographic characteristics were also collected. The analysis revealed three interpretable factors: Fatalistic view, Accountability, and Family factors. The highest scores were obtained on the Accountability and the lowest on the Fatalistic view factor. Older participants, participants who are married, those who are parents, men, lower educated, and participants from rural areas hold harsher attitudes towards juvenile offenders. Those who have not had contact with juvenile offenders tend to attribute more responsibility to family factors. Of those who have been in contact with juvenile offenders, those who have higher scores on Fatalistic view and Accountability describe the contact as more negative.

Analysis of Crimes of Juveniles Delinquency Using Statistical Techniques

Juvenile delinquency also known juvenile offending, is the act of participating in unlawful behavior as a minor or individual younger than the statutory age of majority. This paper is based on a research project in which the Juvenile delinquency is analyzed by researchers. A researcher has been collecting the data from internet (Website: ncrb.gov.in). This research aims to explore the educational background of the criminal along with the family background and their economic status which affects the juveniles or which results in the crime among juveniles. The present study leads to the conclusion that the low income of the family, family background (nuclear or joint or homeless), lack of parental supervision on their children is the main cause which is leading to the rise in this trend of delinquency

The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Psychopathic Features on Juvenile Offending Criminal Careers to Age 18

Childhood maltreatment and inept parental disciplinary, attachment, and monitoring practices evidence a relationship with early and severe childhood and adolescent aggression and have figured prominently as causative factors in theoretical and empirical underpinnings of lifelong antisocial behavior. Abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction have been linked to both violent offending and higher scores on measures of dispositional tendencies associated with psychopathy. The current study incorporates these lines of research by examining a potential pathway by which cumulative adverse childhood experience exposure, rather than single exposures assessed independently, leads to chronic and serious juvenile offending. Specifically, we leverage a sample of 64,007 juvenile offenders who have aged out of the juvenile justice system to examine the extent to which the effects of traumatic exposure on age of onset (first arrest) as well as residential placement, total offenses, and serious, violent, and chronic offending up to age 18 are each mediated by psychopathic features. Results demonstrate that a substantial portion (37%–93%) of the effects of cumulative traumatic exposure on justice system outcomes is indirect, operating through these features, even after controlling for demographic and other criminogenic risk factors. Juvenile justice policy implications are discussed.

An Intricate Research on Psycho-Social Prediction of Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency, also known as ‘Juvenile offending’, is the act of children under the age of 18 participating in unlawful behavior. Juvenile delinquency a serious problem within the society due to modern urbanization and industrialization. Some Juveniles are diagnosed with conduct disorder which may lead to anti-social personality disorder after the juvenile turns 18 which may become the cause for the child to become a serious criminal in the future. Psychosocial prediction helps us to find out their psychological and social factors. Psychosocial study helps in identifying their personality trait, behavior and the reasons leading them to become a juvenile. This study includes various factors like their education, family, peer group, financial condition etc. This research helps in developing the psychological and physiological aspects of the juveniles in their day to day life.

Does a Close Relationship With an Adult Reduce the Risk of Juvenile Offending for Youth With a History of Maltreatment?

Social support is frequently cited as a protective factor against juvenile offending. The current study examined whether a close relationship with an adult in childhood decreases the risk for offending among individuals with a history of child maltreatment. This research utilized data from a prospective cohort design study in which children with court-substantiated cases of abuse and neglect and nonmaltreated children matched on age, sex, race, and approximate family social class were followed into adulthood ( N = 1,196). Having a close relationship with an adult did not decrease risk for delinquent behavior or arrest, but a close relationship with a parent was associated with lower risk for delinquent behavior. Surprisingly, adults with no history of maltreatment who reported having a close relationship with a peer or sibling were more likely to report engaging in violent behavior in adolescence. In total, these findings point to the complexity of development and suggest that although a close relationship with an adult can be protective, the mere presence of such a relationship, without inquiry into the type of relationship, is not sufficient.

Revisiting Juvenile Justice with Victim Lens

Juvenile offenders also remain victims of multifaceted and complex social needs, and hence termed as children in conflict with law in India. Statistically, juvenile offending as well as juvenile victimization continues to be a persistent problem too. Children being in their vulnerable age in both scenarios of offending or being victims can have long-lasting impact; consequently, emphasis on developmental victimology becomes essential and unavoidable in a structured and safe setting. The dynamics that may place a child to come in conflict with law can also place a child at risk of being a victim. Juvenile crime victimization, therefore, needs a relook towards their intertwined relationship without excluding the other. Around various jurisdictions, victimology has been given a vital role within the juvenile justice (JJ) system, namely circle sentencing, victim–offender mediation and reconciliation programmes, wherein all stakeholders including the victim move towards a collective satisfaction. Through the present study, the effort would be placed on answering the viability of victim-based approach in JJ: Whether in the absence of a safe structured setting such reconciliation and mediation programmes can prove effective towards restoration? How victim-based justice can be included in cases of violent or serious and heinous offences?

Exploring the Moderating Role of Gender in Juvenile Hacking Behaviors

Criminological research has demonstrated the significant relationship between deviant peer associations, a lack of self-control, and individual delinquency. These relationships also account for involvement in cybercrime, though these results are based largely on adult samples. There is less research considering juvenile offending online, particularly examining involvement in property-based offenses such as computer hacking. This study utilized an international sample of 48,327 juvenile respondents in the Second International Self-Report of Delinquency (ISRD-2) study to examine the role of gender as a moderating factor in the relationship between deviant peer associations, self-control, opportunity, and self-reported computer hacking behavior. The findings demonstrated different correlates associated with hacking for males and females, as well as differences on the basis of urban and rural residency.