NCJ Number
139024
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A sample of 78 admissions to the South Australia Remand Center for Juveniles, conducted over a 6-month period in 1989, was studied to determine the mental health characteristics of young people in custody and to draw implications for suicide prevention. The study used comparative data on measures of symptoms reported by normal schoolchildren and by non-offending children who had been referred for psychiatric help.
Abstract
The control group of schoolchildren showed low rates of symptoms, alcohol and drug use, and suicidal thoughts compared to the remand group and the psychiatric referral group. There was little difference between these two groups in terms of symptoms relating to depression, somatic complaints, self-destructive behavior, or delinquency. The survey showed significant social and educational deficiencies among the remand group, half of whom showed a probable need for psychiatric assessment and care. Up to one-third of adolescents in custody may suffer from depressive illnesses which can be caused by psycho-social stresses or biological factors including genetics, minimal brain damage, physical illnesses, or chemical abuse. Mentally disturbed remanded juveniles can be helped by automatic assessment upon intake, staff training, and questionnaires which can pinpoint some of these symptoms. 2 tables and 5 references