Juvenile Mental Illness (Juvenile Justice)

Juvenile Mental Illness (Juvenile Justice)

Part I: Introduction

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP) Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report indicates that although the number of juveniles adjudicated for committing violent crimes has decreased, status and drug-related offenses have increased. The report also states that arrests of juvenile female offenders for violent offenses are increasing. The percentage of young offenders diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse disorders is rising, and research has shown a possible correlation between juvenile mental health disorders, offending behavior and recidivism. Studies of juvenile female offenders identify a significant relationship between their reported severe sexual, physical and emotional abuse and their high-risk behaviors (substance abuse, gang activity and truancy) and mental health disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, anxiety and eating disorders). (Skowyra 2008)

Research suggests that up to 70 percent of the estimated daily average of more than 90,000 adjudicated youths cycling through local and state adult and juvenile justice placements or facilities have a mental health disorder (e.g., conduct disorder, anxiety and depression) with a risk of suicide four times higher than the general juvenile population. More than half have histories of exposure to violence, neglect, abuse and trauma. It is estimated that up to 75 percent of young offenders have a substance abuse disorder, and as many as 20 percent of this group also suffer from a mental health disorder serious enough to impair their daily functioning. (American Bar Association, Governmental Affairs Office 2007)

Statement Of The Problem

The juvenile justice system is facing the trend experienced by the adult criminal justice system -- the criminalization of mental illness. Youth facilities have become substitute mental health "hospitals," while also facing the pressure of economic constraints, difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified staff, and the possible shift in focus from a treatment and rehabilitation model to one of custody and control. Legally, these facilities are obligated to provide adequate medical and mental health services to the offenders in their care. The U.S. Department of Justice, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act of 1980 and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, notes that it continues to investigate allegations of systemic abuse and civil rights violations related to the conditions of confinement, including the provision of adequate mental health services and suicide prevention. The spotlight has now turned to the juvenile justice system. Investigations have resulted in federal lawsuits, consent decrees and settlement agreements, which challenge conditions and mandate major program reforms and mental health service improvements at juvenile facilities across the country. (Acoca 2009)

Part II: Literature Review

Corrections' Responsibility

Successful community reentry remains a fundamental goal of juvenile correctional systems. Whereas success and failure can be statistically tracked and defined, it is important to remember that those figures are created child by child. A substantial number of juveniles need and are entitled to mental health treatment programs delivered by qualified mental health staff to strengthen their ability to make positive life ...