DOI: 10.3886/icpsr37443
title: Multi-Method Study on Risk Assessment Implementation and Youth Outcomes in the Juvenile Justice System, United States, 2013-2018
title: Archival Version

description: To better understand the factors that may help or hinder effective implementation of risk and needs assessments, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in 2015 launched a study led by the University of Cincinnati to examine the Ohio Youth Assessment System (OYAS) in three states-Arizona, Indiana, and Ohio. The OYAS tools measure risk and needs to inform court decisions as well as the delivery of services and treatment. Researchers collected data through a variety of methods, including in-person interviews with personnel at juvenile justice agencies; web-based surveys; comprehensive case record data for youths assessed by the OYAS; and phone interviews of youth following their case disposition and/or facility release. One of the study's key objectives was to understand how staff perceived the implementation of the OYAS. To assess the impact of the OYAS on youth outcomes--including reduced recidivism and other prosocial behavior and attitudes--the research team analyzed juvenile justice case records and conducted followup interviews with youth. Demographic variables included in this study include the race, gender, age, ethnicity, and level of education of participants.
description: One of the study's key objectives was to understand how staff perceived the implementation of the Ohio Youth Assessment System (OYAS). To assess the impact of the OYAS on youth outcomes, including reduced recidivism and other prosocial behavior and attitudes, the research team analyzed juvenile justice case records and conducted followup interviews with youth.
description: Researchers collected data through a variety of methods, including 217 in-person interviews with personnel at 22 juvenile justice agencies, 1,013 web-based surveys, comprehensive case record data for 6,222 youths assessed by the Ohio Youth Assessment System (OYAS), and phone interviews of 131 youth following their case disposition and/or facility release.
description: Response Rates: Response rate is N/A for Juvenile Justice Personnel Interviews and Case Record Analysis. 1,013 web-based surveys were completed by Juvenile Justice Personnel, resulting in a 32.4 percent response rate. 131 telephone interviews were completed with youths previously involved in the juvenile justice system. The effective interview response rate was 20.4 percent when factoring in only those cases for which research staff had some contact with the youth or a parent (excluding cases with inaccurate or outdated contact information).
description: 1. Juvenile Justice Personnel Web Based Surveys Data: Purposive sampling of agencies and individuals for interviews with juvenile justice personnel to cover different types of agencies, potential usage situations, and knowledge of the risk assessment tools and processes. 2. Juvenile Justice Personnel Interviews Data: Purposive sampling and distribution of web-based survey to relevant agency-developed email lists. 3. Comprehensive Assessment Sample Case Record File Data: Stratified random sampling of assessment and related case records. Stratification based on agencies (usage frequency) and assessment types (e.g., diversion, disposition, residential). 4. Updated Youth Interview Data: Potential youth interviewees selected based on random sampling from overall sample of case records in #3.
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: Juvenile Justice Personnel Web Based Surveys Data DS2: Juvenile Justice Personnel Interviews Data DS3: Comprehensive Assessment Sample Case Record File Data DS4: Updated Youth Interview Data
description: Youths involved in the juvenile justice system and case records. Line personnel and administrators in juvenile justice agencies. Smallest Geographic Unit: State
description: record abstracts; face-to-face interview; telephone interview; web-based survey