Problem
Study Aim:
The study sought to address the overreliance on detention for juvenile probation violators, exploring whether community-based alternatives like the Fast Accountability Skills Training (FAST) program could reduce probation violations and recidivism.
Impact on System/Public:
Detention often exacerbates juvenile recidivism, leading to negative outcomes such as disrupted education, family separation, trauma, and increased system entanglement. Exploring effective alternatives could mitigate these outcomes, reduce costs, and promote rehabilitative justice.
Research Questions:
- Does the FAST program reduce probation violations compared to detention?
- Is the FAST program as effective as detention in preventing recidivism?
Method and Analysis
Program Evaluated or Gaps Addressed:
The FAST program was a two-session intervention focusing on accountability and skill development as an alternative to formal hearings and detention for probation violators. The study also addressed the lack of evidence-based alternatives to juvenile detention.
Data and Sample Size:
The study evaluated 434 juvenile probation violators in two counties in Washington State, using propensity score modeling to create comparable groups of those who received FAST (n = 124) and detention.
Analysis Used:
- Propensity score matching to balance the treatment and comparison groups
- Regression analysis to evaluate supervision outcomes and recidivism rates
- Equivalence testing to determine if FAST outcomes were comparable to detention
Outcome
Key Findings:
- There was no statistically significant difference between FAST participants and detained juveniles regarding probation violations or recidivism.
- Youth who completed the FAST program displayed similar outcomes to those who served detention, challenging the efficacy of short-duration interventions like FAST.
Implications or Recommendations:
- The findings highlight the need to re-evaluate the use of detention, which is costly and does not yield better outcomes than alternatives.
- Increasing the duration ("dosage") and intensity of the FAST program may enhance its effectiveness.
- Policymakers and juvenile justice practitioners should consider scaling up or improving community-based programs as they are cost-effective and avoid the known harms of detention.
- Further research is necessary to refine programming and assess long-term impacts.
This summary provides an evidence-based perspective on the role of alternatives to juvenile detention and the potential for programmatic reforms to reduce overreliance on detention.