The Promise of Law-Related Education As Delinquency Prevention

A review of the Law Related Education (LRE) experience indicates that LRE also has enormous potential to prevent delinquency, substance abuse, and other problem behaviours. As with many social programs, rigorous evaluations of LRE are scarce, but there is substantial evidence that the principles underlying LRE programs squarely address those factors that research has shown put youth at risk of delinquency. This Bulletin reviews that evidence and identifies directions for future development and evaluation of LRE programs. It is organized into the following sections: What is LRE?; What are the characteristics of programs that prevent delinquency?