Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Karel Kurst-Swanger

Abstract

Nationally, arrest rates have declined; however, Georgia faces disproportionately high crime rates, mainly among African American juveniles in Fulton County. Juvenile recidivism has been a long-standing issue. Researchers have demonstrated that risk factors impact recidivism amongst youth offenders at 17 and 18 years of age. Researchers have not yet been able to establish how risk factors impact recidivism risks of low-risk youth offenders. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of Fulton County juvenile justice personnel on the detention assessment’s effects on low-risk youth offenders and impact on recidivism risks of African American youth. Heidegger’s philosophy and the advocacy coalition framework was used as approaches to analyze the collected data. Using the hermeneutic circle and Colaizzi’s method, data from in-depth interviews were collected from 15 participants including police officers, attorneys, detectives, social services professionals, and intervention program professionals within the Fulton County Department of Juvenile Justice. Results of these analyses indicated that recommendations of positive social change include implementing, adjusting, and refining the DAI evaluation criteria or adding a mandated behavioral assessment for low-risk youth offenders diverted from placement in a detention facility. Juvenile justice systems may benefit from the results of this study by formatting diverse advocacy coalitions that can influence a more effective decision-making process to promote effective policy and positive social change.

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