Criminal Justice & Behavior Abstracts, Part Two

A few of several excellent articles available at Criminal Justice & Behavior right now. Go check out the others if you have time.

Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 34, No. 11, 1441-1462 (2007)
Developmental Pathways of Deviance in Sexual Aggressors
Patrick Lussier, Simon Fraser University
Benoit Leclerc, University of Montreal
Jesse Cale, University College of the Fraser Valley
Jean Proulx, University of Montreal

The study investigated the behavioral antecedents of deviance in sexual aggressors and how they relate to sexual offending. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 553 convicted sexual aggressors to gather data on developmental history. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the behavioral antecedents. Results indicated the presence of three broad dimensions of deviance: internalization, externalization, and sexualization. Aggressors against children showed higher levels of internalization, whereas aggressors against adults reported higher levels of externalization. It is the dimension of sexualization and externalization, however, that appeared the most valuable in the understanding of sexual offending.

Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 34, No. 11, 1385-1401 (2007)
Childhood Adverse Events and Current Traumatic Distress: A Comparison of Men and Women Drug-Dependent Prisoners
Nena Messina, Christine Grella, William Burdon, Michael Prendergast--University of California, Los Angeles

This study describes the prevalence of childhood adverse events (CAEs) among men and women prisoners and assesses the relationship of CAEs to adult symptoms of traumatic distress. Interview data for 427 men and 315 women were analyzed assessing childhood abuse and household dysfunction, drug and criminal histories, and symptoms of traumatic distress. Women offenders had much greater exposure to CAEs than did men and more often reported continued sexual abuse in adolescence and as an adult. Linear regression results showed that the impact of CAEs on traumatic distress was strong and cumulative for both men and women (greater exposure to CAEs increased the likelihood of 6 out of 7 mental health outcomes, although women had higher levels of traumatic distress overall). The findings indicate the need for early prevention and intervention as well as trauma-based treatment within the correctional setting.

Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 34, No. 11, 1402-1426 (2007)
An Empirical Portrait of Community Reentry Among Serious Juvenile Offenders in Two Metropolitan Cities
He Len Chung, Carol A. Schubert, Edward P. Mulvey--University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

This study examined the community reentry process among 413 serious adolescent offenders released from juvenile court commitments in two metropolitan areas. Data are provided about postrelease court supervision and community-based services (CBSs) during the first 6 months in the community as well as indicators of antisocial activity, formal system involvement, school attendance, and employment. Findings indicate that a far greater proportion of offenders reported receiving supervision than CBSs, but when utilized, the frequency of CBS use was high, and intensive services reduced the odds of formal system involvement. In addition, court supervision increased the likelihood of positive adjustment during community reentry. These results held after controlling for social context variables, including peer deviance, parental monitoring, and contact with caring adults.