Scott Ploharz and Britaini Delbo, Weber State University
Psychology
Youth or Peer Courts are diversionary programs designed to lower recidivism and re-offense rates among youth offenders. These programs focus on lowering risk factors and enhancing protective factors among the youth they serve. This study will look specifically at the Youth Court based in Layton Utah. Using a projected sample of 280 youth offenders over a 4 year period, the efficacy of this program will be evaluated. Efficacy will be measured by the rate of re-offense compared to youth in the traditional juvenile justice systems who have committed similar offenses. Analysis will also be performed using participant surveys, to determine which risk and protective factors are associated with re-offending. We anticipate completing this project by January 1st 2013.