<p>While numerous studies have found a relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and recidivism among juveniles, these associations are less clear among incarcerated delinquents. Inconsistent findings may arise from reliance on administrative data to measure ACEs, which can introduce limitations in the scope and validity of the assessment. This study explores whether measurement differences or sample characteristics explain these inconsistent findings. We examine the impact of ACEs, measured using the Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT), on recidivism outcomes for two groups of state-incarcerated delinquent offenders. Results of the analysis revealed that ACEs were not related to felony rearrest or violent felony rearrest among either sample of incarcerated delinquents, net the effects of a number of controls. Results indicate that sample differences, rather than measurement alone, may explain divergent recidivism results as found in the literature. In specific, the potential “steeling” effects of trauma and adversity faced by state-incarcerated delinquents are explored relative to their recidivism outcomes. Future research implications are examined.</p>