Trauma histories among justice-involved youth: findings from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

BackgroundUp to 90% of justice-involved youth report exposure to some type of traumatic event. On average, 70% of youth meet criteria for a mental health disorder with approximately 30% of youth meeting criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Justice-involved youth are also at risk for substance use and academic problems, and child welfare involvement. Yet, less is known about the details of their trauma histories, and associations among trauma details, mental health problems, and associated risk factors.ObjectiveThis study describes detailed trauma histories, mental health problems, and associated risk factors (i.e., academic problems, substance/alcohol use, and concurrent child welfare involvement) among adolescents with recent involvement in the juvenile justice system.MethodThe National Child Traumatic Stress Network Core Data Set (NCTSN-CDS) is used to address these aims, among which 658 adolescents report recent involvement in the juvenile justice system as indexed by being detained or under community supervision by the juvenile court.ResultsAge of onset of trauma exposure was within the first 5 years of life for 62% of youth and approximately one-third of youth report exposure to multiple or co-occurring trauma types each year into adolescence. Mental health problems are prevalent with 23.6% of youth meeting criteria for PTSD, 66.1% in the clinical range for externalizing problems, and 45.5% in the clinical range for internalizing problems. Early age of onset of trauma exposure was differentially associated with mental health problems and related risk factors among males and females.ConclusionsThe results indicate that justice-involved youth report high rates of trauma exposure and that this trauma typically begins early in life, is often in multiple contexts, and persists over time. Findings provide support for establishing trauma-informed juvenile justice systems that can respond to the needs of traumatized youth

A Prescription for Crime Prevention: Improving Youth Access to Effective Mental Health Approaches

Examines youth mental health issues in California, focusing on at-risk youth and those already involved in the juvenile justice system. Offers eleven youth mental health programs and provides policy recommendations

Family and Peer Influences on Substance Attitudes and Use among Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth

Juvenile justice-involved youth experience high rates of substance use, which is concerning given associated negative consequences, including health and functional deficits. Family and peer factors are associated with a high risk of substance use among justice-involved youth. It is hypothesized that this risk process operates through pro-drug attitudes. However, limited research has been conducted on the mechanisms through which family and peer factors increase risk for substance use among juvenile justice involved youth. The current study examined both the direct and indirect effects of family and peer substance use on youth's substance use (alcohol and illicit drug use). We also examined whether this relationship differs by race. 226 detained youth (81.9% male; 74.3% Black) were recruited from an urban county in the Midwest and completed a clinical interview and substance use assessment battery. A direct effect of family/peer risk on illicit drug use was found for all youth, though the effect was stronger among White youth. Results also supported the indirect effect pathway from family/peer risk to both illicit drug use and alcohol use through pro-drug attitudes. This pathway did not vary by race. These findings suggest that interventions should focus on targeting both family/peer risk and pro-drug attitudes to reduce substance use. Given the racial difference in the direct effect of family/peer risk on illicit drug use, there may be other factors that influence risk more strongly for White youth, which warrants further investigation

Stigmatizing Labels, School Bonds, and Capital in the School Reentry Experiences and Educational Outcomes of Justice-Involved Youth

Research indicates that justice-involved youth who reenter public and alternative schools following contact with the juvenile justice system struggle to find a place in the school community and complete their educations. Because educational attainment affects recidivism rates, successful school reentry for justice-involved youth presents important research questions for policy and practice. This study examined school reentry through cases studies of adults who had been justice-involved youth and had experienced school reentry following contact with the juvenile justice system. Study participants’ school reentry experiences were examined through a theoretical framework comprised of labeling, social control, and field theories. Findings suggest that institutional and human barriers make school reentry a complex, emotional experience for justice-involved youth. Findings also support the utility of a new theoretical framework – school exclusion theory – to describe the stigmatization, isolation, and alienation that justice-involved youth encounter from schools and school personnel who resist their reentry. Implications for theory and practice and recommendations for schools and school personnel are discussed

Preventive Care Use Among Justice-Involved and Non–Justice-Involved Youth

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Youth involved in the juvenile justice system (ie, arrested youth) are at risk for health problems. Although increasing preventive care use by justice-involved youth (JIY) is 1 approach to improving their well-being, little is known about their access to and use of care. The objective of this study was to determine how rates of well-child (WC) and emergency department visits, as well as public insurance enrollment continuity, differed between youth involved in the justice system and youth who have never been in the system. We hypothesized that JIY would exhibit less frequent WC and more frequent emergency service use than non–justice-involved youth (NJIY). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of administrative medical and criminal records of all youth (ages 12–18) enrolled in Medicaid in Marion County, Indiana, between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2011. RESULTS: The sample included 88 647 youth; 20 668 (23%) were involved in the justice system. JIY had lower use rates of WC visits and higher use rates of emergency services in comparison with NJIY. JIY had more and longer gaps in Medicaid coverage compared with NJIY. For all youth sampled, both preventive and emergency services use varied significantly by Medicaid enrollment continuity. CONCLUSIONS: JIY experience more and longer gaps in Medicaid coverage, and rely more on emergency services than NJIY. Medicaid enrollment continuity was associated with differences in WC and emergency service use among JIY, with policy implications for improving preventive care for these vulnerable youth

Assessment and treatment to support youth involved in the criminal justice system: a practicum report on youth forensic psychiatric services

This practicum report explores a social work role at the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services (YFPS), located at the North Region Outpatient Clinic in Prince George, British Columbia. YFPS receives referrals through court orders and probation officers to offer comprehensive assessment and treatment services to youth who are involved with the youth criminal justice system. Youth may become involved with the justice system for various reasons and, once involved with the justice system, have multiple options for treatment and/ or rehabilitation. This report explores some of the resources youth may become involved with and how social workers through YFPS play a role in supporting youth in the justice system. The main goal of my graduate practicum was to broaden my social work skills by exposing myself to a new social work field and client population. Within this larger goal, my learning objectives focused on increasing knowledge and skills in conducting and writing assessments and broadening my clinical knowledge, as well as focusing on how my work at YFPS fit into Trauma-Informed and Anti-Oppressive lenses. Overall, I was able to develop new skills and work collaboratively to offer comprehensive services to youth who were involved in the justice system

"Positive Youth Justice Initiative Phase I Implementation Evaluation"

Sierra Health Foundation launched the Positive Youth Justice Initiative (PYJI) in 2012 with the goal of supporting California counties to change the way they approach and work with justice-involved youth. Through an integrated model that invests in youth, treats trauma, provides wraparound service delivery, and strengthens local infrastructure, PYJI seeks to reduce barriers to crossover youths' successful transition to adulthood, including structural biases that exacerbate the over-representation of youth of color in the juvenile justice system. The two-year external evaluation of the implementation of systems change reforms in Phase I of PYJI— which included interviews, focus groups, and surveys with staff, youth, and caregivers in participating counties—explored the successes and challenges of the four counties (Alameda, San Diego, San Joaquin, and Solano) who have been implementing this far-reaching and ambitious initiative. This brief summarizes the key areas of progress and areas of challenge in PYJI implementation; facilitators of and hurdles to successful implementation; notable impacts of PYJI thus far; and areas for consideration as counties move forward in their efforts to achieve reforms that are both impactful and sustainable

The Analysis of Trauma-Informed Risk Assessments Within a Juvenile Justice System in a Midwest State

With approximately 90% of justice-involved youth experiencing at least one traumatic event before entering the justice system, trauma-informed care has moved to the forefront of juvenile justice in recent years (Dierkhising et al., 2013). Trauma-informed care aims to capture and address the impact trauma has on youth. One area within the juvenile justice system that is critical to capturing these events in justice-involved youth are risk assessments. The current study aimed to address whether a Midwest state is using trauma-informed questions and incorporating aspects of intersectionality (gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and class) within practices directed at justice-involved youth. A content analysis of four risk assessments revealed that trauma-informed questioning was inconsistent among the risk assessments and there were no questions regarding concepts of intersectionality. Additionally, recommendations are provided on how to create more comprehensive risk assessments within the juvenile justice system

Youth Incarceration, Health, and Length of Stay

For youth from marginalized communities, the pathway into the juvenile justice system occurs against a backdrop of disproportionately high levels of stress, complex trauma, and adverse childhood experiences. Despite overall reductions in the percentage of youth in confinement from recent state-level reforms, the lengths of stay for many youth often exceed evidence-based timelines, as well as a state’s own guidelines and criteria. This occurs despite a large and growing body of empirical research that documents the health status of system-involved youth and the association between incarceration during adolescence and the range of subsequent health and mental health outcomes in adulthood. Presently, advocates for length of stay reform rely on two primary arguments: recidivism and costs of confinement. This Article argues that this framing misses a critical component, as a better understanding of the linkages between length of stay, health, and mental health are essential for achieving the foundational goals of the juvenile justice system—i.e., rehabilitation, decreased recidivism, and improved community reintegration. Through an examination of juvenile sentencing typologies, release decision-making, and empirical research on the health and mental health needs of at-risk and system-involved youth, this Article aims to fill this gap and expand current lines of debate, discourse, and advocacy.

The prevalence of physical health problems among youth in the juvenile justice system: A systematic review.

Justice-involved youth suffer from a range of health problems. Using health and social science databases, we summarize findings from studies reporting rates of physical health problems among youth in the juvenile justice system published between 2006 and 2017. A total of 23 were identified, with the majority examining sexual health problems and focusing on youth confined to correctional facilities. Although fewer studies focused on non-sexual health problems and non-detained youth, findings suggest disparities across some physical health problems impacting youth within various levels of justice system involvement. Given the health risks faced by justice-involved youth and their long-term consequences, more studies examining their physical health status is needed to create targeted interventions that address disparities for this high-risk group