Wealthy and Wise? Influence of Socioeconomic Status on the Community Adjustment of Previously Incarcerated Youth

Abstract

This longitudinal study of the community adjustment of 531 youth exiting Oregon's juvenile justice system focused on youth categorized as being in either low or high socioeconomic status (SES) groups. The team gathered data before participants exited the corrections system and afterwards by telephone interviews. The study found no statistical difference between the 2 groups in terms of rate of return to the correctional system. Engagement in school and/or work at 6 months postexit was statistically related to similar engagement at 12 months, especially for the high SES group. Receiving community services at 6 months postexit was associated with a lower rate of return for youth from the high SES group, but not for youth from the low SES.