Search results matching tag 'risk factors'

Mental Health Symptoms of Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders

CC Pro — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:25:00 GMT

A report by the UC Irvine Center for Evidence-Based Corrections notes the decreasing treatment resources available to at-risk youth has caused the juvenile justice system to become a "surrogate for mental health treatment." This report looks at the changes in "juvenile offenders' mental health symptoms over longer periods of secure confinement..." Highlights from the study are as follows:

Self-reported mental health symptoms were highest at arrival to the institution.
Patterns of mental health adjustment were variable.
Symptoms of substance abuse appeared to increase starting at the third week of incarceration.
In the domains of anger/irritability, substance abuse and somatic complaints, about 20% of youth exhibited chronically high levels of symptoms.
46% of youth reported having engaged in violent behaviors in the institution.
Youth high in symptoms of anger/irritability or substance abuse were more likely than other youth to engage in violent behaviors within the facility.

As transition to secure confinement or transfer to a different facility is one of the most stressful periods for juvenile offenders', the authors' postulate initial intake assessments may overstate the prevalence of mental health symptoms. While useful in identifying high levels of distress, additional assessment(s) at a later date can assist authorities in providing targeted interventions to youth most at-risk.

Juvenile Suicide In Confinement

CC Pro — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:46:00 GMT

A survey describing the characteristics of juveniles who committed suicide while confined has been published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This is the first national survey to examine the social history and demographic characteristics of the 110 juveniles who committed suicide while under confinement between 1995 and 1999. This bulletin also denotes the features of the facilities in which the incidents occurred and offers recommendations on how to prevent suicides.

Evidence-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Models for Youth

CC Pro — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:29:00 GMT

Reclaiming Futures Every Day, an organization with the goal of improving the "quality of adolescent treatment by promoting the use of evidence-based tools and practices," has compiled a reference list of evidence-based substance abuse treatment models for adolescents.

Patterns of Substance Usage in Youth

CC Pro — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:38:00 GMT

The Office Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has published the bulletin "Co-occurrence of Substance Use Behaviors in Youth." The data were gathered from self-reports regarding the usage of alcohol and/or the usage/sale of illegal substances during the previous 30 days. A central finding indicates that youth engaging in "one substance-related behavior" increases the likelihood they will engage in another.

Substance Abuse Strategies for Youthful Offender Reentry

CC Pro — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:53:00 GMT

According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), approximately 100,000 youthful offenders are released each year from secure facilities into the community. Of those released, 63% commit a new offense within a year. Substance abuse often plays a significant role in the lives of youth that recidivate. A recent edition of the SAMHSA News published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) spotlights various programs across the country that have made a significant impact in reducing recidivism associated with substance abuse. The Young Offender Reentry Program (YORP) employs three (3) basic principles to enhance the chances of youth in making a successful transition back into society:

Start treatment early
Create a seamless continuum of care
Use a holistic approach

The techniques of obtaining housing, employment, education, and other life skills are also emphasized.

Juvenile Reentry and Multiple System Involvement

CC Pro — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:02:00 GMT

The subject of adult reentry has received considerable attention and research. But what about the needs of juveniles as they re-enter the community after a period of incarceration? Youthful offenders face significant challenges in transitioning back into the community that are different from adults. During this transitional period they often come into contact with child-serving systems. Does involvement with these human and public service systems address the needs of and provide support for this population to the extent of impacting recidivism? A report to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is one of the first studies to utilize administrative data, sourced from various human and public service agencies, to examine the experiences of returning youthful offenders statewide and from Chicago to ascertain how multiple system involvement may affect this population.

OJJDP Releases Review of Title V Programs . . .

Leslie / NIC — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:57:00 GMT

OJJDP Report Reviews Title V Program

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has published "2004–2005 Report to Congress: Title V Community Prevention Grants Program."

Established by Congress in 1992, the Title V Program supports state and local efforts to reduce risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency and enhance protective factors that promote healthy personal and social development. This Report reviews the background of the Title V Program; highlights Federal, state, and local activities in 2004–2005; and outlines OJJDP’s plans for enhancing the impact of Title V.

Resources:

Print copies of "2004–2005 Report to Congress: Title V Community Prevention Grants Program" (NCJ 215559) may be ordered at http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/AlphaList.aspx. For quick access, search by document number.

The Report is also available online at http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=237144.