Arrests of Adolescent Clients of a Public Mental Health System During Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Abstract

Findings justify concerns of public mental health systems regarding justice system involvement of adolescent clients. Risk of first arrest was significant from early adolescence through age 24, indicating a need for arrest prevention into young adulthood. The heightened arrest risk at all ages among those who were recently arrested demarcates a population in need of immediate intervention.

Predictors of multiple arrests among homeless young adults: Gender differences

“…Findings of this study confirm previous research (Ferguson et al, 2012b) that homeless young adults who spend extended periods of time on the streets are surrounded by multiple and often chronic strains; homeless young adults respond by engaging in criminal behavior in an effort to avoid or alleviate those strains. In this study, 62.3% of homeless young adults reported multiple arrests, which is much higher than rates reported by the Department of Justice (2010) for young adult populations in general (1.3%); however, this rate is similar to a study of young adults receiving treatment for mental health problems that indicated 58% of males and 30% of females had multiple arrests (Davis et al, 2007). Other research indicates approximately 60% of homeless young adults reported arrest activity (Ferguson et al, 2012a).…”

“…Criminological research has consistently found that among young adult populations, males are more often arrested for violent offenses, while females engage more frequently in self-destructive behaviors (Broidy & Agnew, 1997;Davis, Banks, Fisher, & Gershensn, 2007). The prevalence and experiences of homelessness and criminal involvement also vary by gender (Kempf-Leonard & Johansson, 2007).…”

Factors Associated with Mental Health Services Use among Disconnected African-American Young Adult Population

“…Analysis also showed that use of correctional facility services for mental health problems were significantly lower among females, which is consistent with findings reported in other studies. [37][38][39] Results showed that use of correctional facilities was higher among those less than 18 years of age. Increased use of correctional facility services by those below 18 years has been reported in a Massachusetts Department of Mental Health commissioned study on adolescent mental health services, in which almost 70% of males and 50% of females under care with the Department had a record for arrest, with the majority arrested before 18 years of age.…”

“…Increased use of correctional facility services by those below 18 years has been reported in a Massachusetts Department of Mental Health commissioned study on adolescent mental health services, in which almost 70% of males and 50% of females under care with the Department had a record for arrest, with the majority arrested before 18 years of age. 39 The high rate of mental illness among adolescents in juvenile detention centers have led researchers to conclude that the absence of appropriate mental health services for adolescents in school and community settings result in an increased number of adolescents entering the criminal justice system. 40 Another possible explanation for the prevalence of mental health service use in correctional facilities relates to the misdiagnosis of severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder which frequently appear for the first time during adolescence and young adulthood.…”

Violent and Nonviolent Delinquent Behavior Among Caucasian and Hispanic Youth in Mental Health Systems-of-Care Programs

“…A. Rosenblatt, Rosenblatt, & Biggs, 2000) to 58% (Davis, Banks, Fisher, Gershenson, & Grudzinskas, 2007) and the majority of youth in mental health services have had prior involvement with the juvenile justice system (Vander Stoep, Evens, & Taub, 1997). Although delinquent behavior and mental illness often co-occur in youth, there are ethnic differences in how these co-occurring problems are addressed.…”