AN EMPIRICALLY-BASED TYPOLOGY OF MALE YOUNG OFFENDERS

Two issues were addressed in the present study. First, the psychometri c properties of a risk/needs assessment for youth (Youth Level of Serv ice Inventory (YLSI)) (Andrews, Robinson, and Hoge 1984) were explored . Second, an effort was made to develop a typology of young offenders. The sample was comprised of consecutive admissions to one of 6 probat ion offices in a large urban region and included 256 males with a mean age of 15.2 years. Statistical analyses showed the YLSI to be psychom etrically sound and useful in differentiating among offender risk leve ls. Standardized YLSI subscale scores were subjected to cluster analys is that revealed a reliable and meaningful five cluster solution. Thes e clusters were validated against various offence and clinical criteri on measures.