NCJ Number
78831
Date Published
1980
Length
93 pages
Annotation
This study provides a descriptive and comparative analysis of State practices in providing intensive mental health services to adjudicated delinquent minors placed in secure residential facilities.
Abstract
The study particularly focuses on the procedures for effecting the interinstitutional transfer of adjudicated delinquents from secure juvenile correctional institutions to secure mental health facilities. The study is based upon a May 1979 national survey of State juvenile correctional and mental health agencies. A total of 69 State agencies representing 43 states responded to the survey. This empirical data was supplemented with independent statutory research. Study findings indicate that a minor who enters the juvenile justice system may receive mental health services at one or more points in that process. The most typical points are at intake; after the delinquency petition has been filed but prior to adjudication; after adjudication, in lieu of the dispositional determination, especially pursuant to the civil commitment of a minor to a mental health facility; and pursuant to the court's disposition. When the target population is limited to adjudicated delinquents, State mental health agencies were the most frequently designated service provider. The study also shows that three principal methods exist by which service gaps between the State juvenile correctional and mental health agencies are bridged in order to provide services to adjudicated delinquents. These methods include cooperation of independent services, the development of jointly administered programs, and the administrative merging of these two agencies into one. Finally, State mental health hospitals were the most frequently designated service setting in which intensive mental health services are provided to adjudicated delinquents. Eight footnotes, survey instruments, and related information are appended.