This research aims to analyze the legal arrangements and forms of punishment for minors who are involved in narcotics abuse, as well as to identify the factors that cause children to fall into this action. This research is motivated by the increasing number of cases of narcotics abuse by children, which raises concerns regarding legal protection for children and the effectiveness of the juvenile criminal justice system in Indonesia. The research method used is a normative juridical method with a statutory approach, case studies. Data sources were obtained through literature studies of statutory regulations, literature books, scientific journals. The results of the research show that legal regulations regarding children involved in narcotics abuse have been contained in Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics and Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. However, in practice, the approach to punishment towards children still tends to be repressive. Diversion and rehabilitation have not yet become a complete priority. Apart from that, factors such as a non-conducive family environment, peer influence, social pressure, and weak legal education are factors that encourage children to abuse narcotics. This research recommends the need to strengthen the juvenile criminal justice system based on restorative justice, legal education for children and families, as well as cross-sector collaboration in preventing and handling juvenile and narcotics cases.

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system carry a significant burden of mental health challenges. Internalizing disorders such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, self-harm, and suicidal behavior are common among justice-involved youth, but often remain overlooked. These conditions influence behavior, increase vulnerability to offending, and heighten the risk of repeated involvement with the juvenile justice system. This review examines the role of internalizing disorders in juvenile offense, and highlights how inward distress can contribute to outward behavioral disturbances. It brings together evidence from multiple countries and shows that untreated internalizing symptoms are linked to higher rates of reoffending, adverse life outcomes, and increased suicide risk. The review also summarizes interventions that address mental health needs among justice-involved youth, including cognitive behavioral therapy, family-based approaches, mindfulness practices, and mentoring models. These interventions show promise for symptom reduction, emotional regulation, and lowering recidivism. The review places special focus on Low- and Middle Income Countries where limited resources, stigma, and gaps in mental health services create major barriers to care. Overall, the findings point to the need for prevention, early recognition and intervention for internalizing disorders within juvenile justice systems.

ABSTRACT Violence among adolescents is a pressing public health concern in Latin America, yet culturally adapted tools to guide rehabilitation in juvenile justice systems remain limited. This study reports the cultural adaptation and preliminary psychometric validation of the IFP-LAV, a psychosocial assessment instrument for juvenile offenders in supervised release. Using a multi-phase mixed-methods design, the final phase involved a cross-sectional study with 156 participants in the Supervised Assisted Release Modality (mean age 18.0 years, SD = 2.2; 89.7% male; 32.1% Afro-Colombian) across three Colombian municipalities. The factor structure was examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and internal consistency via Cronbach’s alpha. A 23-item, four-factor structure emerged – Family Relationships, Personality and Behaviors, Self-Regulation, and Support Network – with factor loadings ranging from 0.41 to 0.78 and Cronbach’s alpha values from 0.71 to 0.88. The IFP-LAV provides preliminary evidence of structural validity and internal consistency as a culturally adapted instrument for assessing dynamic psychosocial factors in Spanish-speaking juvenile offenders and to inform context-sensitive psychosocial assessment in juvenile justice settings. Further studies using independent samples and longitudinal designs are needed to examine the instrument’s predictive validity and broader applicability.

As adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are increasingly referenced in criminology, several factors question the salience of ACEs to forensic and correctional populations in both the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. Here, our scoping review of 99 studies examines the ACEs paradigm and its application to forensic/correctional populations by (1) synthesizing research on ACEs among diverse forensic/correctional populations, particularly youth but also among adults for whom childhood and adolescent adversity has sentencing implications, (2) highlighting intervening processes which mediate, moderate, or redirect the effects of ACEs, and (3) identifying methodological issues and potential confounding effects that pose validity threats to ACEs as an explanatory variable among adolescent and adult offenders and regarding downstream justice system outcomes (e.g.,recidivism). When mediating variables are considered, the association between ACEs and antisocial conduct is substantially reduced. Among juvenile offenders, temperament, social bonds, current drug use, or psychopathic features account for 40%-100% of the associations between ACEs and recidivism, gang association, or serious, violent, and chronic offending. These intervening effects are so substantial that studies should migrate from simple ACE-offending designs to more complex, ecologically valid models which specify ACEs as a distal predictor, preferably using longitudinal data. In terms of forensic practice, assessment establishes validity only by respecting the unique experience of the individual rather than homogenizing reactions to abusive home environments, or other circumstances that fractured the family unit. Forensic examination should not overlook downstream life circumstances regardless of their statistical association with ACEs. As a person matures, adult events and experiences more directly influence criminal choices and criminal activity relative to adverse experiences during childhood.

The connection between one's level of self-control and association with delinquent peers has been the subject of ongoing scholarly debate, yet it is unclear if these two constructs operate independently or mutually influence each other over time. Using data from the Pathways to Desistance study, this study longitudinally examined the potential reciprocal relationship between self-control and delinquent peer association. Data from 1,354 adolescents (baseline Mage = 16.04 ± 1.14 years, 86.4% male, 41.4% Black) with previous involvement in the juvenile justice system for serious offending were examined across seven years. Results from a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) indicated that both constructs exerted reciprocal effects, where higher self-control aligned with reduced involvement with delinquent peers, and greater delinquent peer association coincided with diminished self-control. However, the influence of self-control on delinquent peer associations became more stable in later waves, and the paths from self-control to delinquent peer association were stronger and observed more frequently than paths from delinquent peer association to self-control. Overall, the findings suggest that while peer groups are important during adolescence, as individuals transition into emerging adulthood, self-control plays an increasingly central role in associating with delinquent peers.

Interventions to prevent and reduce coercive measures in psychiatric and residential care for youth: a mixed-methods systematic review.

Improving foster care and juvenile justice services: A community-based participatory mixed-methods study in Iowa and Illinois.

ABSTRACT Trauma-informed care (TIC) in juvenile justice (JJ) settings is often recommended but rarely implemented as a system-wide intervention. This manuscript describes the Cook County Model of system transformation, a trauma-focused model that emerged from an ongoing partnership between clinicians and researchers at Northwestern University, a diverse group of juvenile justice professionals in Cook County, Illinois, and community stakeholders. The Cook County Model is informed by existing trauma and justice literature and is grounded in tenants of community-based participatory research. This manuscript provides a detailed overview of the structure, processes, and activities employed during the first 18 months of system transformation efforts. Data collected from attendance sheets, post-meeting and posttraining surveys, key stakeholder interviews, and system transformation documents are integrated with observations from the authors. Findings are organized by the Model’s three main pillars: (1) Buy-in and Momentum, (2) Trauma Awareness and Knowledge, and (3) Cross-agency Infrastructure. Outcomes include sustained participant engagement, high satisfaction with and enthusiasm for the Model, and increased knowledge and trauma-informed practices occurring within and across JJ agencies. A number of TIC implementation challenges at the JJ system level are also identified. This study advances the field by introducing a comprehensive and replicable model of trauma-informed JJ systems transformation and adding to what is known regarding TIC at the systems level.

ABSTRACT The current study examines the relationships between specific psychiatric diagnoses and both adolescent suicide and reoffending, the implications of adverse childhood experiences on these outcomes, and assesses whether these relationships are moderated by sex. Using a multilayer multiyear statewide sample of 6,515 adolescents who completed juvenile justice residential placements, logistic regression and moderation models were used to examine these relationships. Findings demonstrate that the rate of suicidal ideation was 2.5 times higher for female youth, while the recidivism rate was 1.7 times higher for males. Psychiatric diagnoses prevalence ranged from 65.9% for conduct disorder to less than 1% for personality disorders, schizophrenia, and psychotic disorders Clinical symptoms of traumatic exposure increased suicidal ideation across models, while adverse childhood experience exposures increased recidivism in all models. Covariates operated similarly for both males and females across outcomes, with limited exceptions. Policy implications for residential treatment programs are elucidated, including screening, staff training, and trauma-informed approaches.

Multi-tiered systems of support for behavior (MTSS-B) is a widely-used tiered preventive intervention currently used in over 25,000 schools across the USA. This study leveraged data from 16,907 elementary students across 42 schools that participated in a prior randomized controlled trial (RCT) of MTSS-B, where schools were randomly assigned to implement Tier 1 + 2 (intervention) supports or Tier 1 only (comparison). The RCT data, collected between 2008 and 2012, were linked to administrative records of behavior in grades 6-12 collected between 2008 and 2024. We used machine learning methods to identify elementary school predictors of three long-term outcomes (i.e., in-school suspension (ISS), out-of-school suspension (OSS), and arrest) signifying Tier 1 non-response. For ISS, the strongest predictors were family involvement, being female, and internalizing problems, which serve as protective factors. For OSS, they were family involvement, internalizing problems, and academic performance, all of which were protective. For arrest, key predictors included family problems, where lower problems were protective against arrest, and prosocial behavior and family involvement, which were both protective. The top predictors were similar for students in the Tier 1 + 2 and Tier 1 only conditions. These findings can inform early screening for possible non-response to MTSS-B and highlight the need for family engagement practices.

Carceral settings are particularly harmful for youth development and substantially impede their ability to pursue postsecondary education, a key determinant of health and protective factor against future legal system involvement. This article provides a review of innovative legislation that eliminated California's state-level Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and incentivizes county-based, less restrictive programs (LRPs). In addition to discussing the national and state context for the policy changes, our community-research partnership identifies strengths and opportunities for the LRP model to support community reintegration and a pathway to success with postsecondary education for incarcerated youth.

Is concurrent child welfare intervention associated with recurrent juvenile justice contact? Evidence from Pennsylvania.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is widely advocated in forensic and secure mental health settings, yet implementation outcomes and effectiveness are poorly characterized. In this scoping review, the authors aimed to synthesize measurable outcomes of TIC training and implementation programs for service users and staff and to identify legal, policy, and institutional facilitators and barriers. The authors searched six databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar) for English-language empirical studies (January 1999-February 2025) in forensic mental health, juvenile justice, or correctional settings. Two reviewers double-screened a random subset (5% of titles and abstracts and 10% of full texts). Data were narratively synthesized. Of 2,465 records, 12 met inclusion criteria. Eight studies examined staff outcomes only, four included youths, and none reported adult service user outcomes. Immediate posttraining gains in staff knowledge and confidence were common, and perceived safety improved when TIC was embedded in the organization's culture rather than implemented as isolated training. Facilitators included multitiered leadership, concurrent staff and service user engagement, and sustained organizational investment. Barriers included tensions with security protocols, resource constraints, and punitive cultures. Evidence for TIC in forensic settings is sparse and methodologically limited, with no adult service user outcomes and few study designs supporting causal inference. Preliminary, low-certainty signals suggest benefits for perceived safety when TIC is integrated into an organization's culture. Rigorous comparative studies that include adult perspectives and measure sustained clinical outcomes are needed to establish effectiveness.

BackgroundJuvenile legal-involved youth (JLIY) experience behavioral health conditions at more than twice the rate of their peers yet face significant barriers to accessing care. These barriers span predisposing (demographic and social), enabling (logistical and resource-related), and need-based (clinical) factors. To better understand how JLIY navigate the fragmented behavioral healthcare system, we examined their use of services across eight different sectors, including formal treatment settings, non-specialized systems (e.g., schools and courts), and informal community supports.MethodsWe surveyed 100 caregiver–youth dyads enrolled in a juvenile court diversion program, all of whom had youth with documented behavioral health needs. We collected information on caregiver and youth demographics, behavioral health symptoms, treatment barriers, motivation for treatment, and service utilization. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify distinct patterns of youth behavioral health service utilization across eight care sectors. Multinomial logistic regression was then conducted to examine how predisposing, enabling, and need-based factors, guided by the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, predicted class membership.ResultsOn average, youth accessed services in 4 of the 8 behavioral health care sectors. Service sectors utilized by JLIY included school-based support (86%), outpatient care (67%), community network supports (61%), crisis services (59%), general healthcare (58%), juvenile legal services (32%), inpatient care (26%), and residential treatment (11%). Latent Class Analysis revealed three distinct service use profiles: (1) low-intensity, school-centric users; (2) high-intensity, multi-sectoral users; and (3) moderate-intensity, community-based users. Class membership was significantly associated with child welfare involvement, court-mandated treatment, caregiver trauma exposure, caregiver motivation for youth treatment, and youth symptom severity.ConclusionJLIY navigate a wide range of behavioral health services, often in fragmented or reactive ways. While individual need was a strong predictor of service use, enabling factors such as caregiver influences and system mandates also played a critical role. The reliance on school-based services suggests systemic gaps, and extensive multi-sector involvement may reflect lack of integration across systems. Findings have implications for policy, including the need to strengthen cross-system coordination among juvenile legal, school and behavioral health systems; expanded family-centered service navigation; and improved access to community-based care before needs escalate.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Childhood and Criminal Justice Involvement in Young Adulthood: A Prospective U.S. Cohort Study.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the juvenile justice system has undergone massive reform efforts. In Connecticut, the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee (JJPOC) has situated the state as a leader in juvenile justice reform. As reform continues, strong and educated leadership is needed to successfully implement system-wide reforms. The present study evaluated a nine-month professional and leadership development program designed for mid-level managers working at youth-serving organizations in Connecticut. The program was first implemented in 2015, shortly after the establishment of the JJPOC in 2014, to build the capacity of current and aspiring justice reformers. The program has since successfully graduated 141 professionals educated in areas such as brain development, results-based accountability, and juvenile justice policy. Guided by selected dimensions of the RE-AIM framework, this evaluation aimed to evaluate outcomes of the program’s implementation process. Reach was evaluated by determining what populations the program engages, implementation was evaluated by determining what relevant topics participants are educated on, and effectiveness was evaluated by determining if participants exhibit capacity to identify issues and implement interventions during training. A content analysis of program records was completed for each RE-AIM dimension among the nine cohorts. Analysis revealed that the program reaches the desired population, implements relevant topics with fidelity and considers adaptations as state reforms progress, and effectively trains participants to exhibit capacity for youth justice reform. Implementation strategy recommendations include reinstituting prior session topics, yearly curriculum review, targeted recruitment for certain participant groups, and systematic program recordkeeping.

Children in conflict with the law represent one of the most vulnerable groups within the criminal justice system because they stand at the intersection of legal accountability and the state’s responsibility to safeguard their rights and best interests. In the development of contemporary criminal law, restorative justice has gained increasing recognition as an alternative paradigm that prioritizes restoration, rehabilitation, and the social reintegration of child offenders, particularly in response to the shortcomings of retributive justice. This reseach examines the substance of restorative justice within the juvenile justice systems of three Muslim-majority Southeast Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, with particular attention to differences in normative recognition and their implications for the protection of children’s rights. The study employs normative legal research using a comparative law approach, focusing on statutory frameworks and institutional mechanisms governing the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law in the three jurisdictions. The findings reveal that Indonesia expressly incorporates restorative justice and diversion into its positive legal framework, while Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam recognize similar principles more implicitly through rehabilitative and non-custodial measures. These normative differences affect the consistency of implementation, the degree of legal certainty, and the overall effectiveness of restorative justice practices. Accordingly, regulatory strengthening and policy harmonization among Southeast Asian Muslim countries are essential to promoting a sustainable juvenile justice system that is consistently oriented toward rehabilitation and the best interests of the child.

Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death among teenagers. Effective strategies to reduce risky driving, especially for teenage drivers cited for traffic violations, are critical yet underdeveloped. To evaluate the effectiveness of ProjectDRIVE, an in-vehicle and smartphone-based driving feedback intervention combined with parent communication training, in reducing risky driving events and unsafe driving behaviors among teenagers with traffic violations. This 3-arm, parallel randomized clinical trial enrolled 240 parent-teenager dyads, randomized evenly (80 per arm) to the control arm (device installed without feedback), the driving feedback only arm, or the driving feedback plus parent training arm. Enrollment occurred from September 28, 2020, to June 30, 2024, with 6 months of follow-up. Participants included teenagers aged 16 to 17 years with an intermediate license and a moving violation, and their parent or guardian, enrolled from 6 juvenile traffic courts across Ohio. Intervention teenagers received real-time, in-vehicle and smartphone-based feedback, as well as biweekly emailed reports. Parents in the driving feedback plus parent training arm accessed their teenager's driving reports, completed virtual communication training, and received an online guide for discussing safe driving. Intent-to-treat analyses assessed intervention effects on the incidence rate of risky driving events per 1000 miles and the proportion of miles driven involving unsafe driving behaviors, measured using telematics. Among 240 parent-teenager dyads (teenager mean [SD] age, 16.7 [0.5] years; 123 female teenagers [51.3%]), teenagers completed 160 095 trips. Compared with control, driving feedback plus parent training significantly reduced risky driving event incidence (adjusted incidence rate ratio [AIRR], 0.68; 97.5% CI, 0.51-0.90) and the proportion of miles driven while speeding (adjusted exponentiated β coefficient, 0.54; 97.5% CI, 0.47-0.68). Driving feedback alone did not significantly reduce risky driving but did reduce miles driven while speeding (adjusted exponentiated β coefficient, 0.64; 97.5% CI, 0.54-0.79). Male teenagers exhibited higher rates of risky driving compared with female teenagers, including hard braking (AIRR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.11-1.73) and sudden acceleration (AIRR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.42-3.19), as well as greater proportions of miles driven while speeding. Combining driving feedback with parent communication training reduced risky driving among teenagers with traffic violations. Continued parental engagement after licensure, especially after traffic violations, might be key to reinforcing driving safety among teenagers. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04317664.

Transformative Justice in the Shadow of Neoliberalism: A Critical Look at California’s Division of Juvenile Justice

Socio-legal research has traced the rise of hybrid legal regimes that combine punitive and welfare logic. This article advances this scholarship by theorizing what performative legality—legal practices where speech acts, rituals, and staged interactions shape subjects, but with the ultimate authority monopolized by state actors—does within such hybrid systems. I develop the concept of the Performative Submissiveness Catch to describe the paradoxical demand that individuals must perform both submissiveness (to qualify for help) and competence (to deserve autonomy), creating an impossible double bind that deepens dependency. By analyzing this double bind, the article demonstrates how hybrid legal regimes can entrench endless supervision and epistemic disqualification through performative practices. Drawing on ethnographic observations of Israeli child protection proceedings, I demonstrate how hearings become a form of collective performance, where judges and social workers portray “ideal parenting” to parents, infantilize them, and deny the structural role of poverty. The Performative Submissiveness Catch thus reframes child protection as a case study in how Child Protection Law constructs dependency, not only through sanctions, but through the very rituals of adjudication.