Exploring the relationship of criminogenic need, risk of recidivism, official recidivism, and gang status in youth offenders

"Research indicates that gang-involved youth are at risk for numerous negative outcomes, including elevated risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system. While many studies have examined the differences between gang-involved youth and their non-gang, non-delinquent peers, differences among non-gang and gang-involved juvenile delinquents have been less explored. This study explored the relationship of areas of criminogenic need, risk of recidivism, and official recidivism between gang and non-gang justice-involved youth using the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI). Results from regression analyses suggest gang status is positively associated with scores of criminogenic needs, risk of recidivism, and official recidivism. However, gang status was not found to moderate the predictive validity of the YLS/CMI for official recidivism. These results indicated it is important for justice system practitioners to consider gang status when making programming and intervention decisions. Limitations and future directions are also discussed."--Page ii.