NCJ Number
91425
Date Published
1983
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This examination of the issues associated with the handling of violent, mentally-ill juvenile offenders considers the scope of the problem (percentage of violent, mentally-ill juvenile offenders), placements currently being used in the States, the nature of one program for such offenders in the Bronx, N.Y., and future research needs.
Abstract
Studies to date indicate there is a small percentage of violent, mentally-ill juveniles among the population of juvenile offenders; however, this small percentage causes serious problems for the juvenile justice and mental health systems. A review of alternative placements used by States for these offenders indicates that most States do not have special programs for these offenders. Most States keep them in State training schools or State mental hospitals, with little consensus about whether mental health or correctional authorities should operate the programs. In the Bronx, N.Y., the juvenile court, in conjunction with a mental health agency, developed a special program for violent, mentally-ill juvenile offenders. An evaluation of the program showed it to be more effective in treating such offenders than the customary processing; however, funding for the program was terminated. Research needs include (1) more information on the scope of the problem, (2) identification of the characteristics of violent, mentally-ill juvenile offenders, (3) identification of the characteristics of current approaches for caring for these offenders, and (4) a determination of the effectiveness of special programs targeting these offenders. Questions and answers following the presentation are included.