Myths vs. Facts
Visit this page to learn more about commonly held myths and misperceptions about Florida’s juvenile justice system.
Myths VS Facts
Click on each myth for the facts and links to research and documentation.
Fact:
Front-end community-based services are more effective for low risk to re-offend youth that are "high needs".
Research and Documentation:
Fact:
Both the C-PACT and the R-PACT are valid risk assessment tools.
Research and Documentation:
Myths vs. Facts: Risk Assessment Validity
Residential Positive Achievement Change Tool (R-PACT) Validation Study
RPACT Validation Executive Summary
Florida Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) Validation Study
Fact:
Less than 9% of the youth served by FDJJ are serious, violent, and chronic offenders.
Research and Documentation
Fact:
Less than 5% of youth arrested have any gang alert. However, those with gang alerts are more likely to have been first arrested at age 12 or younger, and more likely to be Serious, Violent, and Chronic (SVC) Offenders.
Research and Documentation
Myths vs. Facts: Gang-Involved Youth
Briefing Report - Suspected and Documented Gang-Involved Youth
Fact:
Increased length of stay alone does not reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Research and Documentation
Fact:
Lower risk, minority males are more likely to receive direct commitments without a FDJJ recommendation. Recidivism rates of direct commitment youth are over 8% higher than identically matched probation supervision youth.
Research and Documentation
Fact:
Girls are substantially less violent today than in the past.
Research and Documentation
Myths vs. Facts: Violence & Girls in the Juvenile Justice System
Fact:
Delinquency arrests consistently decline in the summer and during December.
Research and Documentation
Fact:
Juvenile boot camps are less than or equally effective at rehabilitating and reducing recidivism compared to residential or community-based programs.
Research and Documentation
Fact:
Research has repeatedly shown that “Scared Straight” programs are ineffective and potentially harmful to public safety.
Research and Documentation
Fact:
Unnecessary and inappropriate use of secure detention often damages a youth’s future life-course across various outcomes.
Research and Documentation
Myths vs Facts: Appropriate Use of Secure Detention
Dangers of Detention [ Adobe PDF Document ]
Costs of Confinement [ Adobe PDF Document ]
For questions regarding any of this information, please email research@fldjj.gov.