Chronic Juvenile Offenders: Final Results from the Skillman Aftercare Experiment

A classical experimental design was used to determine whether delinquents assigned to an experimental intensive aftercare program implemented in two sites had lower relapse and recidivism rates and a better readjustment to the community than control youths assigned to regular supervision following residential placement, provided by social workers or probation officers. Interviews with youths and staff suggest that the experimental program was more intensive in terms of the frequency of contact and counseling. Twelve month follow-up data showed a decline in coping skills, personal goals, and self-efficacy, and no significant differences in arrests, self-reported delinquency or substance use.