A Practical Approach to Evidence-­‐Based Juvenile Justice Systems

Authors

  • James C. (Buddy) Howell Comprehensive Strategies for Juvenile Justice, LLC Author
  • Mark W. Lipsey Vanderbilt University Author
  • John J. Wilson Comprehensive Strategies for Juvenile Justice, LLC Author
  • Megan Q. Howell North Carolina Department of Public Safety Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52935/

Abstract

This article presents a practical approach that JJ systems can take in achieving evidence-based programming that reduces recidivism. Most JJ system programs produce relatively small reductions in recidivism, on average, thus there is much room for improvement. A research-based approach to making program improvements system-wide—and with that, increase the cost effectiveness of the system itself—is presented in this article. The success of this effort, however, depends on delivery of the right service to the right youth at the right time. The OJJDP Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders provides the scaffolding and structured decision-making tools that can be used across entire juvenile justice systems for promoting effective matches between evidence-based services and offender treatment needs on an ongoing basis. Programs across the entire system continuum can also be assessed for effectiveness through a data-driven program rating tool
that was built around the intervention characteristics found to be most strongly related to recidivism reductions in hundreds of  studies. Where scores are low, this tool provides a blueprint for improvements and, with those, larger recidivism reductions. The process can also be automated to facilitate system-­wide program improvements. 

Author Biographies

  • James C. (Buddy) Howell, Comprehensive Strategies for Juvenile Justice, LLC

    James C. (Buddy) Howell, Ph.D., formerly Director of Research and Program Development at OJJDP, is presently Senior Research Associate with the National Gang Center, Institute for Intergovernmental Research, Tallahassee, FL. At OJJDP, Buddy was co-author (with John J. Wilson) of the OJJDP Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders, and several related publications. Since leaving OJJDP, Buddy has authored or co-authored numerous works on juvenile justice in the U.S., including five books. Most recently, he is co-author of A Handbook for Evidence-Based Juvenile Justice Systems (Lexington Books, 2014).

  • Mark W. Lipsey, Vanderbilt University

    Mark W. Lipsey, Ph.D., is the director of the Peabody Research Institute and a research professor at
    Vanderbilt University. Mark is recognized internationally for his pioneering program evaluation research
    with a focus on programs for at-risk children and youth. Having published very widely on crime and delinquency, his current research activities include the study of risk factors and effective interventions for
    antisocial behavior and delinquency. Mark is co-author of A Handbook for Evidence-Based Juvenile Justice Systems (Lexington Books, 2014). He also is a member of the Science Advisory Board for the federal Office of Justice Programs. Mark recently received the highest honor bestowed on any member of the American Society of Criminology, the Vollmer Award, for outstanding contributions to the treatment and prevention of criminal or delinquent behavior. 

  • John J. Wilson, Comprehensive Strategies for Juvenile Justice, LLC

    John J. Wilson, Esq., held a variety of positions in the OJJDP, including Acting Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and Counsel to the Administrator. At OJJDP, John was a co-author of the OJJDP Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders. John also led national testing and implementation of the Comprehensive Strategy and was an editor of A Sourcebook; Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders (1995). Most recently, John is co-author of A Handbook for Evidence-Based Juvenile Justice Systems (2014). He also has lectured and taught courses in the legal rights of children, juvenile justice, and family law. 

  • Megan Q. Howell, North Carolina Department of Public Safety

    Megan Q. Howell, MCJ, is a Correctional Research and Evaluation Analyst with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Megan has been an analyst for nine years in the North Carolina juvenile justice system and has carried out several statewide policy studies on topics including: youth gang activity, youth violence prevention, school crime and violence, juvenile justice policies and practices, juvenile diversion, and disproportionate minority contact. Her recent publications include statewide studies on Juvenile Diversion in North Carolina (2013) and Prevalence of Gang Involved Youth in North Carolina (2011). Megan also is co-author of a national overview of Violent Juvenile Delinquency: Changes, Consequences, and Implications (2007). 

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Published

01/01/2014

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Vol. 28 No. 1 (2014): JAJJS 2014 Issue

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How to Cite

A Practical Approach to Evidence-­‐Based Juvenile Justice Systems. (2014). Journal of Applied Juvenile Justice Services, 28(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.52935/