Preventing progression from juvenile detention to adult jails and prisons is key in terms of reducing the likelihood of future crimes and for helping to reduce the seriousness of these crimes.
This arises since incarceration has lasting consequences. Many young people who have been incarcerated later struggle to achieve the basic milestones in adulthood, such as living on their own or maintaining a long-term job. Black and Hispanic males are more likely to be affected because they are disproportionately incarcerated and receive longer sentences than non-Hispanic white males.
A Northwestern University study has provided insights that can be used by public bodies for improving outcomes for justice-involved youth. The research following more than 1,800 justice-involved youth.
Data for the study come from the Northwestern Juvenile Project, a longitudinal study of the mental health needs and outcomes of youth who were sampled at intake to juvenile detention at median age 15 and followed through median age 32.
This is said to be the first study to examine the “dose” of incarceration, meaning not only the number of days incarcerated, but also the depth of their involvement, whether an individual was held juvenile facilities only, jail (but not prison) or prison.
Prior studies of the juvenile justice population focused primarily on criminal recidivism. In contrast, this study evaluated participants’ achievements of eight outcomes, reflecting basic aspects of adult functioning, such as whether the individual had earned a high school diploma or GED, was stably employed and was able to live independently without family support.
The researchers also looked at relationship health. Was the participant actively parenting their children without state oversight? Did they have at least two people they could count on? For those in romantic relationships, were those relationships satisfying and free from domestic violence?
Overall, the study found those with the greatest dose of incarceration had worse outcomes as they aged. They were far less likely to live independently, attain an education and stable employment, and far more likely to struggle with mental health — factors closely linked to criminal recidivism.
In general, both males and females who had been to prison fared worse than those who had only spent time in juvenile facilities or adult jails.
In terms of action to take, the researchers say the findings underscore the importance of early interventions.
The findings appear in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. The study is titled “Incarceration and Subsequent Psychosocial Outcomes: a 16-year Longitudinal Study of Youth after Detention.”
Source: Digital Journal / Digpu NewsTex