Youth In Detention Research Articles

The use of art in group therapy among Bedouin youth in home detention under supervision of the juvenile probation service

ABSTRACT Background This article explores how artistic tools can help juvenile offenders from Bedouin society cope with the challenges of home detention. While previous studies suggest art therapy can aid emotional processing, this topic has not been examined specifically for this group in Israel. Aims The paper aims to adapt art therapy practices for indigenous Muslim youth and to understand their experiences with group art therapy within the Juvenile Probation Service. Methods In this pilot study, twelve Bedouin youths under restrictive conditions participated in qualitative interviews and a group art therapy program from 2018 to 2019, analyzed through thematic analysis. Results Findings indicate that group art therapy facilitated the exploration of emotional processes related to their experiences during home detention, which included various difficulties. Conclusions The study shows that art therapy can effectively support Bedouin youth in the Juvenile Probation Service. It allows for the exploration of complex emotions linked to home detention and fosters a sense of community among participants. By integrating cultural norms, this therapeutic approach enhances emotional expression and coping strategies. Implications for practice The research emphasizes the need for culturally adapted art therapy techniques for Arab youth in detention, demonstrating that such interventions can effectively address unique challenges and promote emotional well-being and rehabilitation. Plain-language summary This paper investigates the experiences of Bedouin youth who are in home detention and participate in group art therapy. Through direct observation and follow-up interviews, the study provides insights into how art therapy can be adapted to meet the needs of minority youth in similar situations. The main finding indicates that art therapy serves as a valuable tool for these young individuals to express their emotions indirectly, which aligns with their cultural norms regarding emotional expression. The structure of group art therapy creates a supportive environment, allowing participants to address personal challenges while fostering connections with their peers. The study highlights that utilizing creative tools enables participants to communicate feelings they might find difficult to express verbally, especially in a cultural context where direct emotional expression can be perceived as inappropriate. Moreover, the research underscores the necessity of culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches. For Bedouin youth, incorporating traditional symbols and practices into the art therapy sessions made the experience more meaningful and effective. Overall, the findings suggest that customizing art therapy to align with the cultural values of youth in home detention can significantly improve their emotional well-being and assist them in managing the challenges associated with their circumstances.

Pandemic perspectives from detained youth during COVID-19: Bridging the knowledge gap for future safeguards.

Despite the worsening health disparities among youth in detention during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been minimal exploration into the pandemic experiences of detained youth and opportunities for pandemic mitigation. This paper analyzes the perspectives of youth in detention on the pandemic, including the effect of the pandemic on their detention experience and their perceptions about COVID-19 vaccination. The study used purposive sampling to recruit 16 participants (aged 14-17 years) from two juvenile detention centers in the urban Midwest. We conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed verbatim transcripts using a hybrid deductive-inductive approach and thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: 1) personal experience influenced youth perceptions of pandemic severity and risk; 2) distrust and misconceptions contributed to youth vaccine hesitancy or refusal; 3) desired opportunities and parental opinion motivated youth to get the COVID-19 vaccine; and 4) pandemic mitigation strategies negatively impacted youths' detention center experience. Study findings identify opportunities for detention centers to minimize the negative impacts of pandemic mitigation strategies on youth in detention, expand vaccination knowledge and uptake, and build trust to positively impact the health and wellbeing of detained youth currently and during future pandemics.

An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach

Currently, there is limited empirically published Australian studies on effective rehabilitative programs in youth justice. This study used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the Healthy Relationships program which was designed to challenge attitudes relating to intimate partner violence for male adolescents in detention in Western Australia. Paired group analyses compared pre and post measures of attitudes towards intimate partner violence and traditional gender roles and stereotypes for the total sample ( N = 65). Given the significant overrepresentation of First Nations youth in detention, additional analyses were also run separately for this group ( n = 51). Participation in the Healthy Relationships program was expected to reduce participant endorsement of attitudes supporting intimate partner violence and endorsement of attitudes supporting traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Results supported our expectations for the total sample and the First Nations youth sample, indicating significant improvements across all outcomes following program participation. Qualitative analysis of participant program feedback further supported the quantitative results and identified the importance of the therapeutic alliance and incentives-based learning approaches. The findings contribute to the “what works” literature and provide insights into factors that improve positive treatment outcomes for youth in detention. Suggestions for program improvements and future research directions are discussed.

Neuropsychological profiles of adolescents sentenced to detention in Western Australia with and without prenatal alcohol exposure.

Youth with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) are under-recognised in the justice system, warranting improved identification. This study aimed to compare neuropsychological profiles of adolescents, with and without PAE and identify neuropsychological tasks predictive of PAE-group membership. It was hypothesised that participants with PAE would score significantly lower on neuropsychological tests. Participants included 85 young people sentenced to detention (mean 15.7years, 78 males), 46 with PAE. A one-way-multivariate analysis of variance tested differences in neuropsychological functioning between PAE/No-PAE groups, while logistic regression determined tests predictive of PAE. No statistically significant difference in test scores emerged between groups, and regression was not indicative of any models predictive of PAE-group membership. Neuropsychological profiles were characterised by both strengths and weaknesses, with lower verbal and mathematical skills. While no statistically significant differences were found between the groups, the results provided a unique insight into the neurocognitive profile of Australian youth in detention. Routine screening assessments were recommended for young people sentenced to detention.

Beyond the Corner: Introducing a String Music Program to Youth in Detention

Offering music programs in prisons is one way that artists may contribute to the correctional system’s rehabilitative goals. To explore the role music may play in rehabilitating youth in detention, I developed a string program at a Youth Development Center. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the outcomes of implementing the string program at the center. Eight of the program’s members, aged 13 to 17 from various cultural backgrounds, volunteered to participate in this study. Data collection included field notes and interviews with the youth and facility staff members. Results showed that the program was beneficial to students and the center. Although students learned to play string instruments, rehearse in an ensemble, and perform in public, they also reported feeling a sense of achievement and increased personal potential. In addition, students and staff members noted students’ improved communication skills, increased frustration tolerance, perseverance, and behavior regulation as a result of participating in the string program. Reported benefits to the center included pride in student success, community development within the center, the staff’s increased sense of making a difference, and positive press.

Mental Health Care of Detained Youth Within Juvenile Detention Facilities.

Mental health treatment of juvenile offenders and undocumented immigrant youth in detention provides a unique opportunity for treatment providers. Although the work may be challenging, the clinical needs and opportunities for early and meaningful interventions are significant. One of the best clinical experiences a psychiatrist can have is working with extremely high-risk youth to help them find safer and better developmental pathways. Few settings can offer such an opportunity to leverage clinical skills to improve the lives and futures of children and adolescents as are afforded to those professionals lucky enough to work in juvenile justice settings.

Trichomonas Vaginalis Infections Among Youth in Detention in the Southeastern United States

Most juvenile detention facilities do not screen for Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV) despite being the most common parasitic STI. We aimed to assess TV prevalence and risk factors among young women in a large urban juvenile detention center. We evaluated a retrospective cohort from April to December 2016. Youth submitted an intake urine sample for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing; we tested remnant urine for TV. Outcomes included prevalence of TV and risk factors for infection. A total of 1009 samples were collected, 374 from young women ages 13 - 17 years old. Among females, 8% tested positive for TV with co-infection of either gonorrhea, chlamydia or both occurring in 12/29 (41%) patients. Compared to youth without TV females with TV were more likely to be African American (76%) and report symptoms (41%) (p<0.05). In our study population, prevalence of TV was 8%. As nearly half of those with TV were asymptomatic, we recommend routine screening among this population.

Caught between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Gap between Rights-related Policies and Educational Opportunities for Unaccompanied Im/migrant Children in Detention

ABSTRACT This research examines the gap between federal and state legal standards and policies related to educational provision for school-age youth detained in the United States, and secondary evidence documenting the educational services that are provided to unaccompanied im/migrant children in federal custody. The educational provision for unaccompanied youth in detention is both defined as a human right and mandated by federal and state law. But, in spite of legislation and policies at the international, national, and state levels, the implementation of education is inconsistent for unaccompanied children in US federal custody at shelters and care facilities nationwide. More specifically, ample evidence suggests there is no system of educational accountability for education provided to unaccompanied minors and other im/migrant children in federal custody at these detention centers, shelters, and care facilities.

Effectiveness of a social problem solving training in youth in detention or on probation: An RCT and pre-post community implementation

The effectiveness of a 10-session social problem-solving training (SPST) was evaluated in two independent studies in a juvenile justice (JJ) setting. In both studies, we aimed to examine main intervention effects on social problem-solving skills and recidivism, as well as differential effects as modulated by anger, anger regulation, and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the COMT gene. In Study 1, a randomized controlled trial (RCT), 289 male detainees (Mage=14.95years) were randomly assigned to SPST or treatment-as-usual (TAU). In Study 2, a pre-post community implementation, 187 youth (Mage=16.03years) on probation were assessed before and after SPST. No significant main effects of SPST on social problem solving or recidivism were shown in either study. With regard to differential effects, among youth in detention,COMT haplotypes predicted intervention effects on state anger. Moreover, independent of SPST, inward anger expression was associated with an increase in state anger from pre- to post and an increase in state anger with a decrease in social problem solving. Among youth on probation, COMT haplotypes predicted social problem-solving skills, and, in turn, an increase in social problem-solving skills decreased the odds of recidivism after SPST. The lack of main effects of SPST may be due to low program integrity in JJ settings. Juveniles' emotional and genetic characteristics might modulate the effectiveness of interventions in JJ settings. We recommend studying large samples to substantiate this observation.

Health Needs of Youth in Detention With Limited Justice Involvement.

Although incarcerated youth (i.e., youth sentenced to secure custody) have high health needs, the health of detained youth with limited justice involvement remains poorly understood. Between September 2018 and February 2019, social workers from the Los Angeles County Whole Person Care Juvenile Reentry Aftercare Program (WPC) assessed the health and social needs of youth in pre-trial detention. We partnered with the WPC team to analyze assessments completed by 83 youth participants. Youth were on average 16 years old, most (83%) identified as male, and all were from racial or ethnic minority groups. Participants reported high behavioral health needs, including a high prevalence of prior suicide attempts (16%) and history of substance use (81%). Participants demonstrated a pattern of crisis healthcare utilization. Youth also indicated areas of strength, including personal positive traits, engagement in extracurricular activities, educational achievements, and having multiple sources of social support. The majority of youth (74%) desired vocational training and nearly all (94 %) wanted to return to school after release. Overall, the findings indicate that detained youth with limited involvement in the justice system are a resilient group that have notably higher health risk than same-age peers, signifying a critical opportunity for intervention.

Immigrant Youth in Juvenile Facilities: A State-by-State Review of Recreation Programming

Recent national events have increased attention towards immigrant youth. Youth placed in juvenile justice facilities go through processes overseen by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the Unaccompanied Children’s Program. While in placement youth are exposed to risk factors and face cultural barriers being in a new country. As publicity of the incarceration of immigrant youth increases, there is an emphatic need for researchers to examine the quality of care youth experience in placement facilities. One of the areas that has not been critically investigated is recreation programming in juvenile justice facilities. Recreation programs grounded in Positive Youth Development have proven to promote healthy development and offer immigrant youth opportunities to adapt to their new environment. Providing youth in juvenile justice facilities access to high quality recreation programming strengthens protective factors in youth to prepare them for adulthood, and reduces the likelihood of their committing an offense, thereby increasing public safety and saving taxpayer dollars. This paper is a first step to establish a clear understanding of the treatment of immigrant youth in detention. In this paper I discuss the results of a comprehensive examination of the minimum requirements for recreation programming in juvenile justice facilities. The results provide clear implications for immigrant youth as well as suggestions for further critical inquiry.

Initial Implementation of the ARC Framework in Juvenile Justice Settings

ABSTRACTVirtually all youth in detention have been exposed at least one traumatic event in their family system or in the community, and a vast majority have experienced cumulative traumatic events that led to major dysregulated states. Building on several seminal works on trauma-informed juvenile justice programs and on implementation research, this theoretical research-based paper aims to describe the preparation stage for implementation of the Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency framework (ARC) to a population of youth in detention. The ARC framework is well-suited to meet the complex needs of young offenders by focusing on building blocks that promote resiliency, including caregiver affect management and attunement, affect identification and modulation, and executive functions and self-identity. Based on this extensive preparation stage and a case illustration, recommendations and best practice protocols for making a shift towards a trauma-informed youth justice system are highlighted.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Knowledge, attitudes, experiences and practices of the Western Australian youth custodial workforce

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and characterised by lifelong physical, behavioural and cognitive abnormalities. Primary disabilities, such as impairment in memory, attention, cognition, language, executive function, and adaptive function, can lead to young people with FASD becoming engaged with the justice system. Little is known about the extent of FASD in youth detention in Australia, or of the capacity custodial staff have to manage and support young people with FASD. In tandem with a study assessing the prevalence of FASD among youth in detention in Western Australia (WA), this study aims to establish the current knowledge, attitudes, experiences and practices regarding FASD and other neurodevelopmental impairments among youth custodial officers in order to develop training resources for this workforce. We invited youth custodial officers in the only youth detention centre in WA to participate in an online or hardcopy survey. The survey was developed following extensive consultation with the workforce and investigated their knowledge, attitudes, experiences and practices relating to FASD and other neurodevelopmental impairments. This included experience working with young people with FASD and other impairments, and attitudes towards relevant training. 112 youth custodial officers (51% of the youth custodial workforce) completed the survey. While many respondents had heard of FASD (77%) and understood it is relevant to the justice system (74%), limited in-depth FASD knowledge existed. Many respondents were unsure or unaware that FASD is permanent brain damage (53%) and cannot be outgrown (57%). Respondents were infrequently informed if a young person in detention had a diagnosis of FASD. Almost all custodial officers indicated motivation to complete training to further understand FASD (92%) and other neurodevelopmental impairments (94%), with particular interest in the application of management strategies appropriate for affected young people. A lack of specific knowledge, inadequate training to recognise and manage young people with neurodevelopmental impairments, and inconsistent information-sharing processes reduce the ability of the custodial workforce to care for young people with FASD and other neurodevelopmental impairments. These findings have supported the development and evaluation of training resources targeting the specific needs and requests of the WA youth custodial workforce, and this is now underway.

Correlates of self-harm and suicide attempts in justice-involved young people.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and correlates of self-harm among young people in detention in Australia. The sample included 215 (177 male; 38 female) young people who were in youth detention in the state of Victoria, Australia. Participants were administered a series of questionnaires related to self-harm, mental health, socio-environmental experiences and behaviours. Overall, one-third (33%) of the sample reported previous self-harm and 12% reported at least one suicide attempt. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, a history of childhood trauma, contact with mental health services, and low educational interest significantly increased the likelihood of self-harm. Young people who reported a suicide attempt scored significantly higher on the measure of childhood trauma than did youth who had engaged in non-suicidal self-harm. Findings demonstrate a strong connection between childhood traumatic experiences and suicidal behaviours for youth in detention. Trauma histories and mental health concerns must be considered when identifying youth at increased risk of self-harm.

Prevalence of HIV among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In November 2015, a search of PubMed and Web of Science, grey literature and abstracts from conferences was conducted. A study was included if it reported the number of Aboriginal people tested and those who tested positive for HIV. The following variables were extracted: gender; Aboriginal status; population group (men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, adults, youth in detention and pregnant females) and geographical location. An assessment of between study heterogeneity (I2 test) and within study bias (selection, measurement and sample size) was also conducted. Seven studies were included; all were cross-sectional study designs. The overall sample size was 3772 and the prevalence of HIV was 0.1% (I2=38.3%, P=0.136). Five studies included convenient samples of people attending Australian Needle and Syringe Program Centres, clinics, hospitals and a youth detention centre, increasing the potential of selection bias. Four studies had a sample size, thus decreasing the ability to report pooled estimates. The prevalence of HIV among Aboriginal people in Australia is low. Community-based programs that include both prevention messages for those at risk of infection and culturally appropriate clinical management and support for Aboriginal people living with HIV are needed to prevent HIV increasing among Aboriginal people.

Challenges for Teaching Injury Prevention in a Juvenile Detention Center

ABSTRACTThis case study explored the injury related experiences and perceptions of youth in detention and the delivery of first aid education in youth detention contexts. It aimed to develop an understanding of how a mainstream injury prevention intervention could be modified for youth detention populations. Teacher and student reactions to the program were examined and injury checklists, focus groups, and staff interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed serious injuries related to criminal behaviors, violence, dangerous driving, and substance use. Recommendations for youth detention interventions include lesson flexibility, discussions, role-plays, visual materials, peer support strategies, student-teacher relationships, and positive reinforcement.

Engagement in Play Activities as a Means for Youth in Detention to Acquire Life Skills

This study describes how occupational therapists in a community-based programme, Occupational Therapy Training Program (OTTP), use play activities to facilitate the acquisition of life skills by youth in detention. This pilot study explored the extent of engagement of male and female inmates aged 14 to 18 years old in structured play activities on topics such as interpersonal relationships, self-awareness, cultural celebrations and the transition to community. Retrospective analysis of data collected from surveys using the Engagement in OTTP Activities Questionnaire (EOAQ), completed by youth participants at the end of each group session, was used to measure the extent of occupational engagement. Worksheets and artworks produced by OTTP participants during those group sessions were also analysed. The participants reported very high engagement in OTTP. Engagement scores for male participants were higher than those for female participants, and male and female participants had higher engagement scores for different activities. Over 90% of the worksheets and artworks were found to be complete and relevant to the topic of the session. Play activities could be an appropriate way for occupational therapists to encourage youth in detention to acquire life skills. Demographic information and the actual number of participants are unknown because of how the existing data were collected. Future studies examining the potential gender-related preferences for specific topics deserve further investigation as well as research comparing the youth's engagement in OTTP interventions using play activities to other group interventions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Role of Protective Factors and the Relationship With Recidivism for High-Risk Young People in Detention

This study sought to ascertain the prevalence of protective factors and association with client risk level and future offending in a sample of 177 Australian youth in detention. The Protective Domain on the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) instrument was utilized to identify protective items in the cohort. The mean number of protective factors for the entire sample was low (under two) with higher risk clients averaging less than one current protective item. Although the number of protective factors engendered criminal desistance, this effect did not extend to the highest risk young offenders. Clients who re-offended were significantly less likely to present with five out of the six SAVRY protective items. In addition, pro-social involvement and school engagement had the strongest associations with non re-offense. Clinical implications for client risk management are discussed.

Prevalence and nature of mental disorders among young offenders in custody and community: A meta-analysis

IntroductionPrevalence studies show that nearly 80% of young offenders present psychiatric comorbidity. Juvenile offenders are at 3 times higher risk of being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Recent systematic reviews have mainly focused on youth in detention neglecting youth in the community. Females and ethnic minorities have been overlooked in the literature in spite of the increasing rates of psychiatric disorders striking these groups.ObjectiveTo perform a meta-analysis on the prevalence rates of various mental disorders including depression, psychosis, PTSD, conduct disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities and personality disorders among young offenders. Self-harm and suicidal behaviour are examined too.AimsTo compare the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among young offenders across custody and community and to emphasise on gender, age, and ethnic variations.MethodsRelevant studies have been identified with computer-assisted searching and scanning of reference lists. Prevalence of mental disorders based on gender, age and ethnicity along with potential moderating factors are extracted from the included studies. Meta-regression is performed to test covariates that might have contributed to differences in prevalence rates across studies.ResultsAfter searching the relevant literature, 99 studies were determined to be eligible for data extraction.ConclusionsYoung offenders with ongoing mental health problems comprise a vulnerable group within forensic psychiatric services that needs special attention. More prevalence studies should be conducted to improve mental health provision. Ethnic, gender, and age variations across young offenders should be addressed and turn interventions into a tailored process that responds to the young person's particular treatment needs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Diversionary Pathways for Indigenous Youth with Fasd in Western Australia

The over-representation of Indigenous youth in the Western Australian criminal justice system has been described as a source of national shame. Rates of incarceration are the highest in the nation: around 80 per cent of youth in detention in Western Australia are of Indigenous descent, while Indigenous youth represent only 6 per cent of the population. In recent years there has been a growing awareness that Indigenous youth are at a disadvantage because of a high incidence of cognitive disability, preventing meaningful participation in the justice process and leading to enmeshment in the correctional system. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders ('FASD') is increasingly considered to be a significant barrier preventing many Indigenous children from receiving fair treatment in the criminal justice system.