Community and family characteristics associated with serious juvenile recidivism

Juvenile offending is a significant social problem in the United States. Studies have examined individual, family, social, and community characteristics associated with both the onset and persistence of offending. However, the influence of community and family characteristics on re-offending following periods of incarceration is not well understood. This study uses data from a longitudinal investigation of juvenile offenders in Colorado to examine the nature of the relationship among community and family characteristics in predicting serious juvenile recidivism. Indicators measuring community and family were submitted to a confirmatory factor analysis. A valid four-factor measurement model was then entered in a multinomial logistic regression. Community and family characteristics failed to explain recidivism suggesting that other individual and social factors are more important in understanding recidivism. Implications for policy and practice are noted.