Health Care of Incarcerated Youth: State Programs and Initiatives

• NCJ Number: 154820
• Author(s): L S Thompson; P M Sheahan
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 108 pages
• Contract Number(s): MCU-117007
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report describes findings from 48 respondents representing public health service regions across the country regarding the provision of primary health care services for incarcerated youth.

Abstract

The findings showed that only one respondents reported meetings all goals and objectives planned during regional workshops that were held to increase awareness of the health needs of incarcerated youth. Barriers that prevented participants from meeting their goals and objectives included timing, lack of or poor collaboration, and economic problems. Respondents reported success in meeting some goals and objectives, particularly in the areas of collaboration/coordination, standards development, training, and establishing statewide networks. To improve the system of services for children and youth in the juvenile justice system, States should design juvenile justice programmatic strategies that incorporate the public health approach, coordinate services between agencies providing services to children, adopt strategies to improve the physical and mental health of the juvenile justice population, and encourage health care professionals to assume a greater responsibility for improving the quality of health care within juvenile justice facilities. The second section of this report describes State programs and initiatives, highlighting goals, objectives, program actions, community actions, State actions, and current initiatives.