The Effects of a Peer-based Intervention Program for Violently Injured Youth Running Head: Peer Intervention for Violently Injured Youth

Purpose. To assess the effect of a hospital-based peer intervention program serving youth who have been hospitalized for violent injuries on participant involvement in the criminal justice system and violent re-injury and death following hospital discharge. Methods. A total of 112 violently injured youth (12-20 years of age; 80% male; predominantly African-American [60%] and Latino [26%]) hospitalized in Oakland, California participated in a retrospective case-control study. Clients were matched by age and injury severity. Treatment and control youth were followed for six months after their individual dates of injury. The outcome variables of rate of entry/re-entry into the criminal justice system, rate of re-hospitalization for violent injuries and rate of violencerelated deaths were compared for treatment and control groups using an odds ratio analysis. Results. Intervention youth were 70% less likely to be arrested for any offense (odds ratio [OR]= 0.257) and 60% less likely to have any criminal involvement (OR=0.356) when compared to controls. No statistically significant differences were found for rates of re-injury or death. Conclusion. A peer-based program that intervenes immediately or very soon after youth are violently injured can directly reduce at-risk youth involvement in the criminal justice system.