The Impact of Public Policy Decisions on Juvenile Recidivism in the United States: A Retrospective Examination

Lawrence T. Paretta

Long Island University, New York, United States of America

Abstract:

Juvenile delinquency and recidivism is a major issue that affects communities throughout the United States. During the 1990s, legislation was passed in many states and at the federal level with the purpose of "getting tough" on juvenile crime. Now many years later, there is concern that some of these programs that were intended to help curb the crime rate, such as boot camps, have been largely ineffective and may actually be counterproductive. Results indicate that public officials must pay particular attention to institutional factors, which are directly under their control, and implement policies that coincide with empirical findings.

Keyword:

United States, Juvenile delinquency, Recidivism, Crime, Public policy.