A Study of the Multiple and Complex Needs of Australian Young Adult Offenders

Abstract

Youth offending is an important issue; it has significant social, psychological, interpersonal, and financial impacts on the society. International research has shown that young offenders generally have multiple and complex needs across a wide range of domains; however, research examining the depth and breadth of difficulties faced by young offenders in Australia is lacking. Arguably, such information is critical to help guide the development of valid preventative and treatment initiatives. This article describes a study examining the prevalence of mental illness, low intelligence, psychopathy, risk for reoffending, and criminogenic needs in 75 youth and young adult offenders in Victoria, Australia. Results suggest that the prevalence of mental illness and low intelligence is high in this population. Most (86%) of the sample had likely Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision Axis I disorders (including mood, anxiety, substance use, eating, and psychotic disorders); 15% had a Full Scale Intellectual Quotient (FSIQ) below 70; and an additional 25.7% had an FSIQ in the borderline range. The majority (80%) of the sample was considered to be at a high or very high risk of reoffending. The high prevalence of mental health issues found in this population highlights the need for comprehensive and multifaceted assessment, and for psychosocial treatment and management to be comprehensive, addressing clinical, criminogenic, and social domains.

Does Resilience Predict Recidivism in Young Offenders?

“…For detailed analyses regarding the relationship between the measured variables (including intelligence, PCL:SV, LS/CMI, SCID diagnoses, age and gender) and Resilience Scale Total Score, please refer to Fougere, Thomas, and Daffern (2013). A pr ecis of these findings is presented in the results section to provide context for the specific analyses presented in this paper.…”

Modifying a Risk Assessment Instrument for Youthful Offenders

“…Thus, offenders in the 15- to 25-year age range are likely to be, from a physiological and cognitive developmental perspective, much closer to adolescents than adults (Loeber & Farrington, n.d.). In addition, youthful offenders may also have mental health and intellectual limitations at a greater rate than those in the general population (Fougere, Thomas, & Daffern, 2013). Given these developmental and needs considerations, conceptualizing youthful offenders as being more similar to adolescents than adults suggests that risk and needs assessment tools developed for juvenile justice populations may be very applicable to a youthful offender population.…”

Police decision-making with young offenders: Examining barriers to the use of diversion options

“…Children in out-of-home care are over-represented in the justice system (Gerard, McGrath, Colvin, & McFarlane, 2019) as are young people who have parents who are involved in the justice system (Derzon, 2010; Murray, Farrington, & Sekol, 2012). Young offenders often co-present with other complex issues such as mental distress (McClelland, Elkington, Teplin, & Abram, 2004; Fougere, Thomas, & Daffern, 2013) and acquired brain injury (Parsonage, 2016). A younger age of first involvement in the justice system is associated with poorer outcomes including a higher likelihood of continued offending into adulthood (Chen, Matruglio, Weatherburn, & Hua, 2005; Loeber & Farrington, 2011).…”