Risks of Juvenile Justice Involvement on Girls’ Mental Health Essay Example

exposed to trauma. Trauma exposure rates range from 70 to 96 percent (Abram et al., 2002; Kerig & Bennett, 2013). Furthermore, research indicates that traumatic experiences contribute to continued involvement in the justice system. A study conducted in Texas in 2013 found that past traumatic experiences influenced their level of engagement with the system (Espinosa et al., 2013). Additionally, studies on developmental psychopathology suggest that maltreatment, victimization, and trauma are significant predictors for involvement with the justice system (Kerig & Bennett, 2013). In a study on juvenile offenders from Australia in 2013, over half (60%) reported experiencing child abuse or neglect.

According to Moore et al. (2013), females have a significantly higher likelihood than males to report three or more types of severe child maltreatment, which puts them at an increased risk for ongoing conflicts with others due to heightened stress-reactivity, developmental delays, and other impairments resulting from the maltreatment. Furthermore, exposure to trauma increases the chances for girls to become involved with antisocial romantic partners. This not only raises the risk of involvement in the justice system but also increases the likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence and being victimized again (Kerig, 2014).

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by recurring and intrusive thoughts about traumatic events, efforts to avoid thinking about them, negative changes in mood, and increased arousal and reactivity. According to Abram et al. (2004), one out of every ten young individuals in detention met the criteria for PTSD.

Young people involved in the justice system frequently experience trauma, particularly girls in detention who report higher rates of sexual abuse (31.8 percent versus 15.5 percent for boys) and sexual assault (38.7 percent versus 8.8

percent) (Ford et al., 2012). In comparison to men, women have a greater lifetime prevalence of PTSD, with rates of 9.7 percent for women and 3.6 percent for men (Hooley et al.). Moreover, girls and women are more likely to develop PTSD and suffer from sexual victimization, including domestic violence, which increases their vulnerability to multiple forms of victimization.

A study conducted in Connecticut in 2012 revealed that only a small percentage of detained youth were girls, specifically 5%. These girls were more likely to belong to the "poly-victim" group, which was strongly linked to traumatic stress among young individuals (Ford et al., 2012).

Psychiatric Disorders

In general, about 39% of youth involved in the justice system meet the criteria for having a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Moreover, 16% fulfill the criteria for multiple disorders (Wasserman et al., 2005). The impact of trauma also varies depending on gender.

Research has indicated that girls who have experienced trauma are more likely than boys to display co-morbid disorders, particularly depression (Kerig & Becker, 2015). A study conducted in Cook County Juvenile Detention discovered that females were 1.4 times more prone than males to fulfill the criteria for a mental disorder diagnosis, and girls also had a greater chance of having at least one co-morbid disorder (Davis et al., 2009).

Peer Relationships

Youth incarceration exacerbates existing racial disparities in adult incarceration. According to data from 2013, confinement rates for youth of color were 2.7 times higher compared to white youth. Black youth had an incarceration rate that was 4.7 times higher than white youth, Native American youth had a rate that was 3.3 times higher, Latino youth had a rate that was 1.7 times higher,

and Asian youth had a rate that was 30 percent higher than white youth (McCarthy et al., 2016). Another study conducted in 2013 also observed that Black and Hispanic youth faced harsher punishment for parole violations and other non-criminal offenses (Leiber & Peck, 2013).

Although there are many complex reasons behind these racial disparities (Kempf-Leonard, 2007), youth involvement in the justice system is a strong indicator for adult justice involvement, which in turn poses significant psychological, physical, and social risks.

Healthcare

A recurring challenge in juvenile justice is the implementation of various forms of care. While some mental health care may be provided to young individuals during detention, there is no means of establishing a consistent care relationship as services cease upon release. Additionally, many young individuals experience inconsistent housing situations or may move between different guardians, making it difficult to form a bond with a healthcare provider, particularly without active parental participation. Detention gives rise to multiple logistical issues.

The law ensures the protection of detained youth's anonymity and places the responsibility for seeking healthcare primarily on them and their family. However, reproductive health proves to be a challenge as detained girls have higher rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections compared to non-detained girls (Johnston et al., 2017). Additionally, these girls engage in sexual activity at an average age of 13.8 years, which is significantly younger than the national average of 17 years. They also exhibit riskier sexual behaviors and experience more turbulent relationships. Surprisingly, upon entering the system, 30% of detained girls are already pregnant (Steinberg et al., 2013).

Despite having access to accurate sexual health information, girls in detention may not have the necessary resources for

follow-up care such as birth control and STI treatment. This lack of resources can hinder their reproductive healthcare. Detention presents an opportunity for intervention, but it is crucial to address the ongoing needs of these girls.

Institutional Involvement

The number of detained youth and juvenile arrests has been decreasing since 1997, indicating a shift towards less punitive approaches in juvenile justice. However, there has been a rise in the percentage of girls' arrests. Currently, approximately 30 percent of the estimated 2.11 million juvenile arrests made each year (OJJDP) involve girls.

Approximately 30% of girls in residential placement are detained for "technical violations," such as not following the orders of a previous offense like regular school attendance (OJJDP). Additionally, 7% of girls are detained for status offenses, which are illegal due to their young age, such as underage drinking or truancy. Out of the 7,800 detained girls (Puzzanchera & Adams, 2011), almost 40% are held for non-criminal offenses. This detention not only has negative effects on girls' emotional and psychological well-being but also leads to practical challenges. Detention centers often struggle with staffing and face difficulties in providing consistent schooling for the detained girls, especially due to their varying skill levels and ages.

Implementing education consistently can be a challenging task, especially when girls miss significant portions of their school curriculum. This can create difficulties for them in catching up after they are released, leading to long-term negative effects on their educational achievement.

New Approach

New York City has chosen to abandon remote juvenile detention housing as part of its efforts to improve its juvenile justice policy. The city's "Close to Home" initiative has successfully produced positive outcomes for both young people

and the community. Under this program, youth are placed in homes with 6 to 18 other individuals near their communities, with the level of security determined by the severity of their offense. Since its implementation, New York City no longer sends young people to distant state facilities as a form of judicial punishment.

The Columbia University Justice Lab conducted a study on the "Close to Home" program and found that it had a 91% success rate in terms of academic achievement for youth participants. Additionally, 82% of these young individuals were able to successfully transition back to living with a family member or guardian, and 91% were enrolled in pro-social programs after their release. The implementation of this program resulted in a significant 52% decrease in youth arrests (McCarthy et al., 2016).

Conclusion

Detained girls are more susceptible to negative mental health outcomes, as they have a higher likelihood of experiencing sexual victimization. This puts them at greater risk for poly-victimization, which is strongly connected to traumatic stress.

Both boys and girls in detention are at a high risk of trauma and face obstacles to their healthy development. However, girls have an even higher vulnerability due to an increased likelihood of exhibiting co-morbidity in psychiatric disorders. Therefore, detention plays a critical role in the adolescent development of girls. Regardless of gender, all youth in detention are exposed to significant risks for re-traumatization.