Psychiatric Needs of Detained Youth Before and After Detention

CE Course Description

Research suggests that the majority of youth in the juvenile justice system have been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, and nearly all of these young people will return to their communities. This intermediate level continuing education course was developed using information from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice Programs in order to present the results of the Northwestern Juvenile Project, which summarized the psychiatric needs of youth before and after detention. Key observations, findings, and recommendations are included as well as directions for further research and implications for professionals who work with detained and released youth.

Author: U.S Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

CE Course Objectives

1. Identify the psychiatric disorders and mental health needs of youth processed in juvenile and adult courts.
2. Describe the demographic characteristics of detained youth and the prevalence of mental health disorders among them.
3. Summarize the results of statistical analyses of the Northwestern Juvenile Project, including methods, findings, and study limitations.
4. Outline barriers to mental health services among detained youth, including characteristics associated with lower rates of service use.
5. Analyze the prevalence and persistence of psychiatric disorders in youth after detention.

CE Course Outline

Introduction and Overview (40 mins)

1. Highlights (10 mins)
2. About This Series (5 mins)
3. Methods (25 mins)
   1. Participants and Sampling Procedures (5 mins)
   2. Transfer to Adult Criminal Court in Illinois (5 mins)
   3. Measures (10 mins)
   4. Final Sample for Analyses (5 mins)

Findings (75 mins)

1. Criminal Characteristics (15 mins)
2. Likelihood of Transfer to Criminal Court by Gender, Age, and Racial/Ethnic Subgroup (20 mins)
3. Psychiatric Disorders Among Youth Processed in Juvenile Versus Criminal Court (20 mins)
4. Psychiatric Disorders Among Youth Processed in Adult Court Receiving a Prison Sentence or a Sentence Other Than Prison (20 mins)

Discussion of Findings (35 mins)

1. Diagnoses and Need for Psychiatric Treatment Among Transferred Youth Compared With Youth Processed in Juvenile Court and Adults in Detention (20 mins)
2. Study Limitations (15 mins)

Directions for Future Research (30 mins)

1. Conduct Studies of Long-Term Functioning and Outcomes for Transferred Youth (15 mins)
2. Conduct Studies of Competency To Stand Trial (15 mins)

Implications for the Juvenile Justice System (45 mins)

1. Provide Diagnosis and Treatment for Transferred Youth (15 mins)
2. Determine Whether Psychiatric Disorders Should Play a Mitigating Role in Transfer Decisions (15 mins)
3. Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Transfer Process (15 mins)

Conclusion (15 mins)

1. Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts (15 mins)