Risk factors and youth recidivism prediction in general and property offenders

Abstract

The predictive validity of risk factors for recidivism in general offenders is well known, but few studies have considered specific crimes – such as non-violent property offences – in this context. The prediction of risk factors on recidivism among general and property offenders is analysed in an attempt to capture any motivational differences underlying diverse types of crimes. Subsamples of theft and property damage offenders were extracted from a general population of 210 juvenile offenders aged between 14 and 18 years. All participants were assessed using the Spanish version of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) and their recidivism rates were evaluated in terms of the number of new records in a 24-month follow-up period. Factors pertaining to the Big Four (especially the antisocial peers risk factor) seem to be the most predictive factors for both general offenders and non-violent property offenders; the type of crime does not seem to make a significant difference to youth offenders’ needs.