Health Care for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

Youth in the juvenile correctional system are a high-risk population who, in many cases, have unmet physical, developmental, and mental health needs. Multiple studies have found that some of these health issues occur at higher rates than in the general adolescent population. Although some youth in the juvenile justice system have interfaced with health care providers in their community on a regular basis, others have had inconsistent or nonexistent care. The health needs of these youth are commonly identified when they are admitted to a juvenile custodial facility. Pediatricians and other health care providers play an important role in the care of these youth, and continuity between the community and the correctional facility is crucial. This policy statement provides an overview of the health needs of youth in the juvenile correctional system, including existing resources and standards for care, financing of health care within correctional facilities, and evidence-based interventions. Recommendations are provided for the provision of health care services to youth in the juvenile correctional system as well as specific areas for advocacy efforts.

Engendering the Evidence Base: A Critical Review of the Conceptual and Empirical Foundations of Gender-Responsive Interventions for Girls’ Delinquency

“…Although the numbers vary across studies, the literature is consistent in showing that delinquent girls evidence significantly higher rates of diagnosed mental health disorders than do delinquent boys or girls in the general population [52][53][54], including conduct disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [52,55]. Suicidality and self-harm also are more prevalent amongst delinquent girls than boys, likely due to a host of interrelated risk factors [56].…”

Mortality of Youth Offenders Along a Continuum of Justice System Involvement

“…Each offender status along the continuum of justice system involvement (i.e., arrested, detained, incarcerated, transferred) is more severe than the last; increased system exposure is characterized by harsher sanctions, more restrictive placement, and less access to behavioral health services or other rehabilitative efforts common in the juvenile justice system. [13][14][15][16][17] The objective of this study was to test the associations between the level of involvement in the justice system and youth mortality. The authors hypothesized that the annual mortality rate would increase incrementally by the severity of youth involvement in the system.…”

Child incarceration and long-term adult health outcomes: a longitudinal study

“…Prior research has established that incarcerated youth have extremely high rates of unmet health needs, especially with regards to mental health and substance abuse treatment needs (Committee on Adolescence, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). The estimated rates of psychiatric disorders in juvenile justice populations range from 60 to 75 percent (Teplin et al , 2002).…”

“…Although likely a relatively small group, children who are detained or incarcerated in the juvenile justice system may be a particularly medically vulnerable population. It is well documented that the broad population of incarcerated juveniles has high rates of unmet health needs and faces disproportionate morbidity and mortality compared to their non-incarcerated peers (Committee on Adolescence, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). In total, 46 percent of newly detained juveniles have been found to have urgent medical needs (Hein et al , 1980) and 70 percent may have at least one psychiatric disorder (Teplin et al , 2002).…”