Desistance in multi-problem juvenile offenders under a Deferred Custody and Supervision Order
Analysis of the files of juvenile offenders under a Deferred Custody and Supervision Order (DCDO) identified several interventions that encourage desistance in multi-problem juvenile offenders. This exploratory study shows that youth workers, by supervising and controlling behaviors, supporting rehabilitation, and promoting social and community (re)integration, can contribute to the development of a life goal crucial to the desistance process for multi-problem juvenile offenders. Without such a goal, these multi-problematic offenders are at great risk of embarking on a serious, violent, and chronic criminal career. The analysis ends with three practical recommendations for improving the services offered to those under DCDOs.