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Transition planning and recidivism among mentally ill juvenile offenders
Author(s) -
Trupin Eric W.,
Turner Aaron P.,
Stewart David,
Wood Peter
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.596
Subject(s) - recidivism , receipt , juvenile , mental health , psychiatry , juvenile delinquency , poison control , psychology , suicide prevention , medicine , environmental health , business , accounting , biology , genetics
Objectives: To determine the extent to which transition planning and community service would predict lower levels of recidivism among mentally ill juvenile offenders. Design: Review of legal, medical and social service records including examination of 3‐month period following community release. Participants: Juvenile offenders incarcerated for 6 months or more ( N = 44) transitioning to community. Measures: Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS), sum of different documented pre‐ and post‐release discharge planning contacts, documented community service contacts. Outcomes: Re‐offense during the first year post‐release. Results: Documented community service contacts in the 3 months following discharge were rare for mental health (20.5%), substance abuse (38.6%), financial assistance (29.5%), and school placement (34.1%). The average number of different pre‐release and post‐release discharge planning contacts was also low, M (SD)=1.86(1.68) and M (SD)= 2.34(1.71) respectively. Post‐release discharge planning and the receipt of financial assistance and mental health services were all associated with lower levels of reoffending. Conclusions: Community transition planning, including the coordination and provision of community services, is an essential component of community reintegration for juvenile offenders and is associated with lower rates of recidivism during the first year post‐discharge. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.