Using data taken from a study titled, "Comparison of Youth Released From a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Center to Youth at a Traditional Juvenile Correctional Center in Virginia, 1998-2000," this analysis employed regression analysis to examine the effectiveness of reducing recidivism among non-minority and minority males in an alternative juvenile detainment facility as well as six traditional juvenile detention facilities. Results indicate that for three of the four measures of recidivism---substance use after release, re-convictions, and re-arrests---there was no significant difference in recidivism rates among minority and non-minority juveniles in either types of detainment facilities. However, when considering substance abuse charges after release, minority youths housed in a traditional facility were 18% more likely to be charged than non-minority youth. Policy implications are that the methods and treatments administered in traditional juvenile detainment facilities may need to be re-evaluated in order to reduce minority recidivism and combat the disproportionate amount of minorities represented in the penal system.
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