YouthBuild Offender Program

This is a comprehensive program of educational and vocational training and other youth development services for socioeconomically vulnerable youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are in contact with the criminal system. The goal is to provide assistance, develop community leadership, and reduce recidivism.
The program is conducted in a family-style setting, where training and employment opportunities are provided. Educational training consists of basic literacy and alternative education, while vocational training involves engagement in low-income housing construction.
Leadership training, social reintegration and support services, tutoring, housing assistance, transportation, and child care are also provided. The intervention lasts from 9 to 24 months.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies have shown that the program significantly reduced recidivism [1] and increased the likelihood of receiving a high school diploma, a trade license, or a training certificate. However, no statistically significant effects were observed on college course enrollment rates, employability, depression symptoms, self-esteem, and happiness [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Cohen, M. A. & Piquero, A. R. (2008). Costs and Benefits of a Targeted Intervention Program for Youthful Offenders: The Youthbuild USA Offender Project. SSRN Electronic Journal, 41(1), 162. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1154055

[2] Miller, C., Millenky, M., Schwartz, L., Goble, L. & Stein, J. (2016). Building a Future: Interim Impact Findings from the YouthBuild Evaluation. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED571142.pdf

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