Highlights From Pathways to Desistance: A Longitudinal Study of Serious Adolescent Offenders

Looks at the factors that lead youth who have committed serious offenses to continue or desist from offending, including individual maturation, life changes, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Key findings note that most youth who commit felonies greatly reduce their offending over time, longer stays in juvenile institutions do not reduce recidivism, and substance abuse treatment reduces substance use and criminal activity for a limited time.