Positive results in reducing future offender were found for some of the programs examined that
serve serious (violent or chronic) juvenile offenders in secure corrections. Considering this
general outcome, it is justifiable to continue treating this population. We found that programs
were more effective at reducing serious recidivism than in reducing general recidivism. This
finding shows the importance of including serious recidivism as an outcome measure of efficacy
in all the programmes oriented to reduce the delinquent behaviour of serious offenders. Chronic
and violent offenders are a small part of the offender population yet they are responsible for a
substantive portion of all offenses. Reducing the delinquent behaviour of this group through
secure correctional programming is clearly important that this review suggests that such
programs can be effective
