Assessing the Impact of a Graduated Response Approach for Youth in the Maryland Juvenile Justice System, 2013-2017

UMB Dataset

Description

This study evaluated the Accountability and Incentives Management (AIM) system, a graduated response approach implemented by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) in July 2015. AIM was designed to promote youth accountability and to reduce rates of supervision violations and recidivism for all youth under community supervision. The primary intent of the program was to address the high rates of DJS detention and committed placements resulting from violations of probation (VOPs), and to address racial disproportionality in the deep end of the juvenile justice system. The study entailed a process evaluation of AIM’s implementation; a two-group, quasi-experimental design to assess youth outcomes; and a cost savings analysis. The treatment group (AIM cohort) included 1,590 adjudicated youths who started/completed probation or aftercare supervision with Maryland DJS between November 1, 2015 and October 31, 2017. Propensity score matching was used to create a statistically equivalent comparison group, comprised of 1,590 youth who were supervised prior to AIM implementation (July 1, 2013-June 30, 2015). The primary data sources were administrative data collected through DJS’s management information systems and included each youth’s demographic characteristics (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, age, and county of jurisdiction), delinquency history (e.g., referrals to DJS, VOPs, adjudications, and commitment dispositions), placement history (e.g., detention and committed placements), and supervision history (e.g., aftercare and probation). Specific AIM-related data such as risk/needs assessment (risk level and treatment needs) and treatment planning information were also maintained by DJS case managers. This dataset is comprised of both publicly available and restricted data. (Need to add a sentence or two about what type of data is publicly available versus restricted.)

Timeframe

2013 - 2017

Geographic Coverage

Maryland

Subject of Study

Human

Subject Domain

Juvenile Justice, Administration of

Juvenile Probation

Maryland. Department of Juvenile Services

Population Age

Child (2 years to 12 years)

Adolescent (13 years to 18 years)

Subject Gender

Female

Male

Keywords

Accountability and Incentive Management System (AIM)

Graduated Response System