Youth in Adult and Juvenile Correctional Facilities: Comparison of Services and Behavioral Management

Given contemporary efforts to prevent adolescents from experiencing the negative consequences of incarceration, it is critical to assess the impact of juvenile transfer. Relative to a potential deterrent effect on the recidivism of transferred juveniles, empirical evidence regarding their institutional experience is lacking. Drawing on record data from those admitted to adult and juvenile systems in a Midwestern state from 2011 to 2014, this study compared the correctional experience of teenage males housed in an adult prison with young adults and teenagers housed in juvenile residential facilities. After controlling for individual profiles using the propensity score analysis, youth in adult facilities had similar or more access to institutional programs but also exhibited relatively higher involvement in misconduct based on official reports. The implications for correctional policies and practices for transferred and incarcerated youth are discussed.