Report of the Task Force on the Mentally Ill Adolescent Offender to the Michigan Departments of Management and Budget, Mental Health and Social Services

• NCJ Number: 86910
• Author(s): Anonymous
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 108 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Michigan Office of Criminal Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Michigan assessed the mental health status of juveniles in its training schools and mental health facilities and uncovered a pressing need for treatment of a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders.

Abstract

Of the 71 training school and 58 mental health facility residents diagnosed, most (68 and 66 percent, respectively) showed serious disturbances in mood or thought (schizophrenia, major affective disorders, etc.). Substance abuse and other personality disorders were prevalent among the remainder. Borderline personality disorders were most common among violent offenders. Treatment policy should reflect this significant relationship between serious delinquency and psychiatric disorders. All youths entering the training school system should be screened and referred to appropriate psychiatric treatment if disturbances are found. Staff should be better trained in psychiatry, and training schools should offer mental health services. Other recommendations include developing an intensive treatment unit, aftercare services, and liaison activities. The reports on training school and mental health residents are appended, with data tables and references.