The National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC)is part of the BJS National Prison Rape Statistics Program to gather mandated data on the incidence of prevalence of sexual assault in juvenile facilities under the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA; P.L. 108-79). The Act requires a 10% sample of juvenile facilities to be listed by incidence of sexual assault. Data are collected directly from youth in a private setting using audio computer-assisted self interview (ACASI) technology with a touch-screen laptop and an audio feed to maximize inmate confidentiality and minimize literacy issues. The first year of collection includes nearly 200 juvenile facilities,with an estimated 10,000 completed interviews with youth. The first report from the 2008-09 NSYC survey will be released on January 7, 2010.
On This Page |
Collection Period |
Questionnaires |
NSYC Main ACASI Instrument - Older Youth | ||
2008-09 PDF (427K) | ||
NSYC Main ACASI Instrument - Younger Youth | ||
2008-09 PDF (417K) | ||
NSYC-A Alternative ACASI Instrument | ||
2008-09 PDF (214K) |
Methodology |
The 2008-09 NSYC survey consisted of an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) in which youth, using a touch-screen, interacted with a computerized questionnaire and followed audio instructions delivered via headphones. The NSYC utilized self-administered procedures to ensure the confidentiality of the reporting youths and to encourage fuller reporting of victimization. The survey made use of audio technology to provide assistance to youth with varying levels of literacy and language skills. Approximately 98% of the interviews were conducted in English; 2% in Spanish.
Administrators in each state, county, and private facility determined the type of consent required for youths to be eligible for participation. Administrators provided in loco parentis (ILP) consent in 63 facilities. In loco parentis is when administrators provide consent “in the place of the parent” to contact youth. In the remaining 132 facilities, administrators required consent from the youths’ parents or guardians (PGC). Youth in all facilities also had to assent to participate in the interview.
In each sampled PGC facility, administrators were asked 8 weeks prior to data collection to provide a roster of all adjudicated youth assigned a bed; in ILP facilities a roster was provided 4 weeks prior to data collection.
All youth were sampled in ILP facilities and in PGC facilities with 240 or fewer youth on the roster. In larger PGC facilities, all females and a random sample of males were selected. In both PGC and ILP facilities all incoming youth were added to the sample up to 4 weeks prior to the survey. Youth who had been present in the facility at least 4 weeks prior to the survey and were present at the time of the survey were considered eligible.
The result of this process yielded a sample representing 26,551 adjudicated youth held nationwide in state operated and large locally or privately operated juvenile facilities. A total of 10,263 youth participated in the survey. Of these, 1,065 received an alternative survey on drug and alcohol use and treatment, and 9,198 youth participated in the survey of sexual victimization.
Publications & Products |
Data Tables
Press Releases
PREA Data Collection Activities, 2012 The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA; P.L. 108-79) requires the Attorney General to submit to Congress, not later than June 30 of each year, a report on the activities of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) for the preceding calendar year. | |
PDF (388K) | ASCII file (23K) Part of the PREA Data Collection Activities Series |
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PREA Data Collection Activities, 2011 The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA; P.L. 108-79) requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to carry out, for each calendar year, a comprehensive statistical review of the incidence and effects of prison rape in randomly selected federal, state, and county correctional facilities. | |
PDF (470KB) | ASCII file (14KB) Part of the PREA Data Collection Activities Series |
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Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-09 Presents data from the 2008-09 National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC), conducted in 195 juvenile confinement facilities between June 2008 and April 2009, with a sample of over 9,000 adjudicated youth. | |
Press Release | Acrobat file (PDF 1.7M) | ASCII file (65K) | Zip format (Spreadsheet 40K) |
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Survey of Youth in Custody, 1987 In 1987, an interview survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,621 residents in 50 long-term, State-operated juvenile correctional institutions. | |
PDF |
Related Topics |
Bureau of Justice StatisticsBJS Statistical Principals and Practices Scientific Integrity Statement OJP Freedom of Information Act |
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PartnersFederal Bureau of Investigation Federal Justice Statistics Resoruce Center |
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