Research Brief: Juvenile Incarceration in an Adult Facility and Violent Victimization During Adulthood

Article: Silver, Ian A., Cohen, Tova, and Newsome, Jamie. 2024. Juvenile Incarceration in an Adult Facility and Violent Victimization During Adulthood. Journal of Adolescence. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12459

1. Background (PDF & Article)

Youth incarceration in adult correctional facilities remains a common practice in the United States, but a diminishing number of youth experience this form of punishment each year. Despite the common misperception, youth who become incarcerated in adult facilities could have committed a wide variety of crimes (not just serious violent offenses), as the decision to charge youth in the adult system is often at the discretion of the prosecutor and judge. Research suggests that juveniles housed in adult facilities are exposed to substantive adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as physical and sexual assault, bullying, racism, and prolonged isolation or neglect. These ACEs have lasting consequences, disrupting normal development and placing individuals at heightened risk for a range of negative outcomes including mental and physical health problems, economic hardship, and subsequent victimization in the community.

A number of studies have documented that exposure to ACEs during adolescence can increase vulnerability to violent victimization during early adulthood and adulthood. Nevertheless, few studies exist examining how criminal legal system punishments for youth – in particular incarceration in adult correctional facilities – contribute to an increased risk of violent victimization. In light of this gap in the literature, the current study asked: Does incarceration in an adult facility as a juvenile (12-17) increase the risk of violent victimization during adulthood?

2. Summary of Findings

Three key findings emerged from the study:

1. Early Violent Victimization Risk: Individuals incarcerated in adult facilities before 18 experienced a shorter time until violent victimization after the age of 18 when compared to youth without any criminal legal system contact before 18. On average, youth incarcerated in adult facilities experienced violent victimization 8–9 months earlier than those without criminal legal system involvement before 18.
2. Higher Cumulative Risk of Violent Victimization: By age 33, 17% of individuals incarcerated in adult facilities before 18 were predicted to experience violent victimization, compared to 14% for individuals arrested before 18 and 10% for individuals with no criminal legal system involvement.
3. Unique Risk of Violent Victimization from Adult Incarceration: Even after accounting for other risk factors such as arrest, family background, peer influence, and school experiences, incarceration in an adult facility as a juvenile remained a significant predictor of earlier and a higher cumulative probability of violent victimization during adulthood.

These findings suggest that violent victimization during adulthood could be a collateral consequence of juvenile incarceration in adult correctional institutions, suggesting that the punishment of these individuals extends beyond the period of confinement.

3. Implications

The results raise concerns about the practice of sentencing juveniles to adult correctional facilities. The heightened risk of violent victimization during early adulthood may reflect the developmental harm caused by exposure to ACEs in adult jails and prisons, including physical and sexual abuse, isolation, and neglect.

Policymakers should consider:

• Limiting or eliminating the direct transfer of juveniles to adult courts and, in turn, adult correctional facilities.
• Housing youth in juvenile facilities until the age of 18 and then transferring them to adult correctional facilities.
• Supporting reentry programs that reduce the risk of future victimization.

The growing body of literature suggests that confinement in adult correctional facilities before 18 might perpetuate and contribute to substantive disadvantages, diminishing the likelihood of rehabilitation upon reentry. This literature, overall, suggests that the confinement of youth in adult correctional facilities could be considered a cruel and unusual punishment.

4. Data and Methods

The study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97), a nationally representative panel of 8,984 individuals born between 1980 and 1984. The analytic sample included 8,526 youth who were under 18 at baseline and had valid responses to questions about violent victimization in adulthood.

• Outcome: Self-reported violent victimization (physical or sexual assault, robbery, arson) occurring between ages 18 and 33, measured using periodic follow-up surveys.
• Key Independent Variable: Incarceration in an adult jail or prison before the age of 18, based on detailed monthly incarceration histories.
• Covariates: Arrest history, juvenile facility incarceration, parental incarceration and education, household net worth, adverse childhood experiences, school discipline and safety measures, peer behavior (e.g., gang involvement, substance use), and demographics (e.g., race, sex).

A parametric survival model (lognormal) was used to regress the number of years from an individual’s 18^th birthday until they experienced a violent victimization with incarceration in an adult jail/prison before 18 and the covariates. Predicted probabilities of victimization were also generated to visualize cumulative risk across different exposure groups. Robustness checks included propensity score matching (4:1) and alternative model specifications to confirm the validity of the main findings.

5. Conclusion

Incarcerating youth in adult facilities appears to be associated with an increased risk of violent victimization during adulthood. This punishment may be not only disproportionate but also counterproductive to the goals of public safety and rehabilitation. These findings underscore the need for reform efforts that prioritize the health and safety of legal system-involved youth.

Disclosure: This research brief was prepared by ChatGPT and reviewed/edited by Ian A. Silver.