NCJ Number
231819
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2010 Pages: 1-7
Date Published
2010
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined the personal, social, psychological, and psychiatric characteristics, as well as the family structure of juvenile offenders with serious mental and behavioral disorders.
Abstract
The sample studied consisted of 88 juvenile offenders being considered for admission into a Northeast Ohio diversion/treatment program for violent offenders with mental health problems. The high degree of pathology found in this sample was manifested in serious acts of violence, sexual offenses, fire-setting, animal cruelty, mental and substance disorders, suicide threats/attempts, and extensive histories of legal problems. Their backgrounds involved high rates of parental incarceration, parental substance abuse, family instability, compromised intellectual functioning, learning problems, early documentation of behavioral problems, and sexual/physical abuse. The key to helping this group is early identification of high-risk background factors. The earlier identification and treatment occurs, the more likely it is to be successful. One in three of these youths was identified as having a behavior problem by age 5. Research has shown that when such children and their families are provided appropriate clinical interventions at this early age, treatment is often successful (Hill, 2003). Identification during later stages of development is also important, however. When such children first encounter the juvenile justice system, their psychosocial needs must be addressed. Screening and assessment for mental health disorders should be a required step in the admission process. Without appropriate treatment and services in the childhood and/or adolescent years, many of these youth are likely to become adults with severe educational, occupational, emotional, and behavioral impairments. This can translate into recurrent and lengthy incarceration. The pilot treatment program involved in this study was part of a statewide grant to provide treatment-based diversion services to youths with histories of violent offenses believed to have mental health problems underlying these offenses. This report describes the measures used in evaluating these youth. 2 tables and 40 references