The authors assess the impact of training school versus alternative program placements for a 12-year period on 266 youths remanded to the Texas Youth Commission in 1983. A proportional-hazards model is used to predict time until recidivism as a function of individual characteristics, criminal history, family environment, program placement, and delinquency risk. Being male, of younger age at the time of commitment, and in an institutional program prior to parole are found to significantly increase the hazard of recidivism. Although program experience does not affect the overall incidence of recidivism, it does affect the timing of subsequent criminal acts. Youth placed in alternative programs have significantly longer survival time until recidivism compared to youth who have been in institutions. In addition, these effects are greatest for the youngest offenders. An important benefit of alternative programs may be to lengthen a window of opportunity for additional rehabilitative efforts and interventions during parole.
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