Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ)

Department

Criminal Justice, Criminology, & Forensics

First Advisor

Elaine Gunnison

Second Advisor

Matthew Hickman

Third Advisor

Paul Sherfey and Catherine Pickard

Abstract

Restorative justice programs are frequently designed to divert youth from the criminal justice system and to decrease recidivism. In 2011, King County established a restorative justice program, the 180-program, to decrease new referrals and to decrease racial disproportionality in the juvenile court. While previous studies have found lower overall new referral rates for youth who completed the 180-program, gaps remain. The program has not been measured for likelihood of recidivism and completion rates based on race. The 180-program has been compared to other juvenile justice programs but has not been analyzed for its individual success and effectiveness. Informed by self-concept and labeling theories, this study re-assesses the 180- program’s success in confronting the disproportionality issue in the juvenile justice system. Purposive sampling of secondary data was utilized. Racial equity scoring and logistic regression was used as measurement/ analytic tools. Limitations and policy implications are discussed.

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