Ethnic differences in offence patterns and the prevalence and impact of risk factors for recidivism

This study examined differences in offense patterns and the prevalence and importance of risk factors for recidivism between Dutch (n = 542), Moroccan (n = 292), Surinamese (n = 133), Turkish (n = 97), and Antillean youth (n = 72). Results showed differences in offense patterns, the prevalence of risk factors, and the impact of these risk factors on recidivism between the ethnic groups. Public-order offenses were most common in the Dutch group, nonviolent property offenses in the Moroccan and Turkish groups, violent property offenses in the Surinamese group, and both public-order and nonviolent property offenses in the Antillean group. In the case of ethnic majority youth, risk factors in most domains (family, school, friends, use of free time, and mental health) were associated with recidivism, whereas only a small number of risk factors were associated with recidivism among ethnic minority youth. Interventions aimed at these risk factors may therefore be less effective in reducing recidivism in ethnic minority youth.