Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Victim Impact Intervention Through the Examination of Changes in Dynamic Risk Scores. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baglivio, Michael; Jackowski, Katherine
• Other Names: Myers David guest-editor.; Olson Jeremy guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Criminal justice policy review. Volume 26:Number 1(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: reassessment -- victim impact -- juvenile offender -- risk assessment -- criminogenic needs; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.973
• DOI: 10.1177/0887403413489706
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-4034

Abstract

The current study examines changes in assessed criminogenic needs/dynamic risk factors of juvenile offenders participating in a victim impact delinquency intervention. Three hundred twenty juvenile offenders in residential placement were randomly assigned to either participate in a victim impact curriculum or to a control group receiving a minimal substitute. Comparison of means was used to examine changes in criminogenic domains using an actuarial risk/needs assessment. Results demonstrate significant reductions in subscales of the assessment instrument for youth assigned to the intervention compared to the control group in the intent-to-treat analysis. Additional significant reductions in subscale scores occurred for youth completing the intervention. The findings demonstrate the ability of a specific intervention to reduce risk in criminogenic domains related to offending behavior and illustrate the importance of reassessment over time. Policy implications are discussed.