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Despite decades of research analyzing fear of crime among adults, little is known about youth fear of crime in general and youth fear of crime in school, specifically. Moreover, among existing studies most emphasize causes of fear, with little discussion of avoidance or the academic consequences of these feelings and behaviors in school. This study contributed to the literature by exploring the relation between fear of crime and avoidance in school and academic experiences using data from the 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey's School Crime Supplement. Results suggested that fear increases the odds a student will skip class, decreases the odds a student will earn higher grades, and decreases the odds a student will aspire to pursue higher education. However, fear and avoidance of crime in school did not emerge as having a significant relation with participation in extracurricular activities. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed. (Contains 5 tables.)

Abstract: Purpose: Each day in the United States, approximately 100,000 youth are under correctional supervision. The purpose of this study is to examine the early risk and protective factors for incarceration using a high-risk sample of urban youth. Methods: Data were obtained from 2,165 (54 who were incarcerated) youth who participated in Project Northland Chicago. Participants were matched exactly on gender, race/ethnicity, and aggressive behavior in sixth grade. Bivariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were used to examine the risk and protective factors present at sixth grade that increased the odds of incarceration at 12th grade. Results: The early risk factors for incarceration were age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71–3.69), having been sent to detention (1–3 times: OR = 2.24; 95% CI 1.15–4.37; 4+ times: OR = 3.49; 95% CI 1.40–8.72), and the number of hours spent participating in a sport (OR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.03–1.20). Substance use was not significantly related to incarceration after adjusting for other behavioral and contextual risk factors. Conclusions: General problem behaviors (nonaggressive) strongly predict incarceration among at-risk youth. Implications for prevention programs are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An introduction to the special issue of the "Journal of Crime and Justice" is presented.