Critical Factors in Mental Health Programming For Juveniles in Corrections Facilities

• Published in: International journal of behavioral and consultation therapy Vol. 2; no. 1; pp. 107 - 140
• Main Authors: Underwood, Lee A, Phillips, Annie, von Dresner, Kara, Knight, Pamela D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Joseph D. Cautilli 2006; Joseph Cautilli, Ph
• Subjects: Access to Health Care; Affective Behavior; Aggression; Antisocial Behavior; Anxiety; At Risk Persons; Behavior Modification; Biology; Cognitive Restructuring; Correctional Institutions; Counseling Techniques; Criminal Rehabilitation; Cultural Influences; Depression (Psychology); Dialectical Behavior Therapy; Drug Therapy; Family Counseling; Family Influence; Family Therapy; Group Counseling; Health Services; Human; Incidence; Individual Characteristics; Institutionalized Persons; Intervention; Juvenile Justice; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Mental Health Programs; Mental Health Services; Minority Groups; Motivation; Neighborhoods; Neurological Impairments; Peer Influence; Personality Problems; Psychosis; Screening Tests; Substance Abuse; Transitional Programs; Juvenile; Mode Deactivation Therapy (MDT); Mental Illness; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); Family Integrative Transition (FIT); Aggression Replacement Training (ART); Thinking For a Change (TFAC); Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
• ISSN: 1555-7855; 1555-7855
• DOI: 10.1037/h0100771

Juveniles with mental health and other specialized needs are overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, and while juvenile corrections have not historically provided standardized and evidence-based mental health services for its incarcerated youth, the demand is evident. The reality is that juveniles with serious mental illness are committed to youth corrections facilities and justice systems generally do not have the capacity to provide effective mental health care. However, juvenile corrections are aware of the serious refractions involved and are exploring effective interventions. This involves examining the critical components of treatment and implementing promising youth correction programs for juveniles who are incarcerated. The authors review critical treatment factors involved in the mental health care of youth and provide recommendations to the field to further develop promising institutional programs.