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Criminal Justice System Involvement and Continuity of Youth Crime

A Longitudinal Analysis

Valparaiso University

Ronald L. Simons

University of Georgia

Rand D. Conger

University of California, Davis

Studies of criminal careers reveal several possible factors associated with persistent offending. This analysis examines the part that criminal justice system involvement plays in persistent offending. Seven waves of data collected on 153 boys as part of the Iowa Youth and Families Project were used to test a structural equation model hypothesizing longitudinal relationships among system involvement, deviant peer association, and crime. Results revealed continuity in offending across waves but only partial continuity in deviant peer association. More important, system involvement was positively related to later crime, as well as to later deviant peer association. This finding is consistent with labeling theory and inconsistent with deterrence theory. Furthermore, crime was positively related to later deviant peer association; however, deviant peer association was not related to later crime, and same-time correlation between the two were significantly positive. Results warrant continued exploration into the potential "labeling" aspects of formal sanctioning processes.

Key Words: system involvement • youth crime

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