Latest developments in the prevention of crime and anti‐social behaviour: an American perspective

Abstract

PurposeThis paper seeks to discuss advances in the prevention of crime and anti‐social behaviours that have occurred in the USA in the last decade.Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines significant achievements in the identification of risk and protective factors related to anti‐social behaviours, the design and evaluation of preventive interventions and strategies intended to increase the successful and widespread implementation of these practices. The Evidence2Success model is described as an example of how scientific advances can be utilised by communities to improve youth outcomes at little added cost to taxpayers.FindingsIn a very short time span, much progress has been made in prevention sciences. Spurred in part by federal initiatives and funding opportunities, increasing numbers of preventive interventions have been developed and demonstrated as effective, and methods for disseminating these practices show promise.Originality/valueThese successes can be utilised by other countries to advance prevention science internationally.

What Works in Crime Prevention?

“…NREPP's revisions should ensure a more objective review process, but we would recommend that both NREPP and Crime Solutions employ a systematic review process that takes into account all evaluations of a given intervention, not just a subset of the research identified by a program developer or staff person. Given recent growth in development and testing of EBIs (Fagan and Eisenberg, 2012;Farrington and Welsh, 2005), and the fact that program replications do not always produce findings consistent with prior studies (Valentine et al, 2011), we also recommend that lists be regularly updated, ideally, every 1 or 2 years.…”

“…During the past decade, researchers in the field of criminology have made increasing calls for the use of evidence‐based and effective programs, practices, and policies to improve public health and prevent crime (Clear, ; Fagan and Eisenberg, ; Welsh and Farrington, ). For example, the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine has recommended that to prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, “federal and state agencies should prioritize the use of evidence‐based programs and promote the rigorous evaluation of prevention and promotion programs” (O'Connell, Boat, and Warner, : 373).…”

Preventive Mental Health at School

“…Drinking patterns are modeled in families. Skills for drinking responsibility are taught, or not taught, in various cultures (Falo-Stewart & Klostermann, 2008 ). Children of alcoholics are at risk for negative mental health outcomes (Ellis, Zucker, & Fitzgerald, 1997 ).…”

“…Long-term effectiveness of interventions in general is lacking, but Jepson and colleagues concluded that schoolbased efforts are effective overall. Fagan and Eisenberg ( 2012 ) determined that considerable progress has been made in preventive efforts to reduce antisocial behaviors and in implementation of preventive practices at low cost, thanks to federal initiatives. Project Northland is a multicomponent community prevention system to prevent early alcohol involvement of students in grades 6-8 in urban areas (Komor et al, 2004 ).…”

“…Motivational interviewing is a technique for helping students help themselves as it affects desire to change (Falo-Stewart & Klostermann, 2008 ). In this process students are helped to resolve their ambivalence, which is critical because one of the most effective factors in the success of interventions is the motivation to change one's behavior.…”