NCJ Number
202812
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 65 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 86-89
Date Published
October 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines various guidelines for managing health services for incarcerated juveniles.
Abstract
Increasing offender populations and budgetary constraints have made it essential for correctional institutions to develop comprehensive correctional health care guidelines. Efficient, high quality medical care begins with a thorough intake assessment during reception. For incarcerated juveniles, gender specific medical accommodations and routine childhood and adolescent developmental issues must be considered in addition to normal medical screening. The complex and unique demands of providing quality medical care to incarcerated juveniles is exacerbated by potential suicide threats, the defiance of adolescence, and the need for continuity of care for chronic medical health problems. Medication administration to incarcerated youths is a significant responsibility in the cases of chronic disease care and management, and female juvenile offenders must also be treated for various obstetric and gynecological issues while incarcerated. If juvenile offenders receive intensive medical care and intervention while incarcerated, then their transition to the community will be made easier. Intensive medical care and discharge planning for incarcerated youths may yield considerable behavioral modifications and lifestyle changes for affected youths.