The goal of this study is to assess the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services' implementation of the AIM system and the effectiveness of this approach with respect to outcomes and costs for youth under community supervision. More specifically, the study is:
- Conducting descriptive and bivariate analyses of administrative records for a sample of youth who were under supervision once the system was implemented to assess the extent to which case managers implemented the system as intended.
- Using a two-group, quasi-experimental design to compare the treatment group (i.e., those supervised with the system) and a statistically equivalent comparison group who completed community supervision prior to program implementation to assess the impact of the system on a variety of outcomes.
The outcomes of interest include: (1) violation of probation filed with the courts, (2) detention due to violation of probation, (3) committed placement due to violation of probation, (4) successful completion of supervision, (5) length of stay under supervision [number of days], (6) length of stay in detention [number of days], (7) recidivism as measured by referral to the Department of Juvenile Services or adult arrest, (8) adjudication or adult conviction, and (9) Department of Juvenile Services commitment or adult incarceration. - Conducting a cost-offset (also known as cost-savings) analysis, a simplified form of cost-benefits analysis, to examine the extent to which the costs of implementing the system offset the costs associated with secure detention and committed placements.