Assessment of risk and need factors and service use in diverted youth

The purpose of the present study was to assess the risk and need factors in a sample of youth that have been diverted from the criminal justice system at the precharge stage. These factors were also examined among children under the age of 12 who commit criminal acts. Risk and need factors were evaluated from a developmental perspective to determine if younger children differ from older youths in these regards. The first goal of the current study was to establish the psychometric properties of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) and the YLS/CMI: Screening Version. Findings showed the YLS/CMI and YLS/CMI: Screening Version were reliable and valid assessments of risk and need factors. Results showed that diverted youths displayed a number of specific risk and need factors that placed them at risk to reoffend. Moreover, diverted youths differed significantly from children under the age of 12 in many respects. It was found that children under the age of 12 had higher risk levels and more diversified needs, presenting at clinical levels and with comorbid symptoms in comparison to diverted youths. A third purpose of this investigation was to survey community placements to which youth were diverted or referred. Results found that children under the age of 12 used more services than diverted youths over their lifetime and in the past year. Finally, the current study compared the risk and need factors and recidivism rates of youth who have been diverted by police to a group of youth who have been charged by police during the same time period. Results showed that charged youths had higher risk/need levels than diverted youths. Moreover, charged youths reoffended at a faster rate than the diverted group. Finally, the current study showed that a number of standardized assessment measures were useful in the prediction of reoffending. The findings of the current study have implications for theory, research, and practice.