Process Evaluation of the Chicago JISC

Jeffrey A. Butts (2011). Process Evaluation of the Chicago Juvenile Intervention and Support Center. New York, NY: Research and Evaluation Center, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Researchers investigated the operations of a pre-court diversion program that provides services and supports to “station adjusted” (i.e., informally handled) youthful offenders after they have come into contact with the Chicago Police Department but before they have been formally arrested … Continue reading Process Evaluation of the Chicago JISC

How Prevalent are Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in Juvenile Justice?

February 16, 2011 by Jeffrey A. Butts Ph.D. Gail Wasserman and her colleagues from the Center for the Promotion of Mental Health in Juvenile Justice at Columbia University published an important new study that was released just this week in Criminal Justice and Behavior: “Psychiatric Disorder, Comorbidity, and Suicidal Behavior in Juvenile Justice Youth.” It may be the best source of information yet on the … Continue reading How Prevalent are Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in Juvenile Justice?

Teen Courts — Do They Work and Why?

Jeffrey A. Butts and Jennifer Ortiz (2011). Teen courts — Do they work and why? New York State Bar Association Journal, 83(1): 18-21. Despite their popularity, there are many unanswered questions about the effectiveness of teen courts. The overall impression one gets from the evaluation literature is positive, but researchers have yet to identify exactly why teen courts work. Most important, studies have not yet investigated … Continue reading Teen Courts — Do They Work and Why?