Mental Health and Trauma in Young Offenders

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Gaskin
2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Barrett ◽  
Sarah Byford ◽  
Prathiba Chitsabesan ◽  
Cassandra Kenning

BackgroundThe full costs of accommodating and supporting young people in the criminal justice system are unknown. There is also concern about the level of mental health needs among young offenders and the provision of appropriate mental health services.AimsTo estimate the full cost of supporting young people in the criminal justice system in England and Wales and to examine the relationship between needs, service use and cost.MethodCross-sectional survey of 301 young offenders, 151 in custody and 150 in the community, conducted in six geographically representative areas of England and Wales.ResultsMental health service use was low despite high levels of need, particularly in the community Monthly costs were significantly higher among young people interviewed in secure facilities than in the community ($4645 v. $ 1863; P < 0.001). Younger age and a depressed mood were associated with greater costs.ConclusionsYoung people in the criminal justice system are a significant financial burden not only on that system but also on social services, health and education. The relationship between cost and depressed mood indicates a role for mental health services in supporting young offenders, particularly those in the community.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria I. Livanou ◽  
Vivek Furtado ◽  
Swaran P. Singh

Purpose This paper provides an overview of transitions across forensic child and adolescent mental health services in England and Wales. The purpose of this paper is to delineate the national secure services system for young people in contact with the youth justice system. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews findings from the existing literature of transitions across forensic child and adolescent mental health services, drawing attention to present facilitators and barriers to optimal transition. The authors examine the infrastructure of current services and highlight gaps between child and adult service continuity and evaluate the impact of poor transitions on young offenders’ mental health and wellbeing. Findings Young offenders experience a broad range of difficulties, from the multiple interfaces with the legal system, untreated mental health problems, and poor transition to adult services. Barriers such as long waiting lists, lack of coordination between services and lack of transition preparation impede significantly smooth transitions. Research limitations/implications The authors need to develop, test and evaluate models of transitional care that improve mental health and wellbeing of this group. Practical implications Mapping young offenders’ care pathway will help to understand their needs and also to impact current policy and practice. Key workers in forensic services should facilitate the transition process by developing sustainable relationships with the young person and creating a safe clinical environment. Originality/value Transition of care from forensic child and adolescent mental health services is a neglected area. This paper attempts to highlight the nature and magnitude of the problems at the transition interface in a forensic context.


2018 ◽  
pp. 53-72
Author(s):  
Sue Bailey ◽  
Robert Vermeiren ◽  
Paul Mitchell

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Gaete ◽  
Nicolas Labbé ◽  
Paloma del Villar ◽  
Catalina Allende ◽  
Ricardo Araya ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S153-S153
Author(s):  
M. Livanou ◽  
V. Furtado ◽  
S. Singh

IntroductionTransitions from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health services have been quite troublesome for young people in the UK. There is strong evidence throughout the literature that long waiting lists and rigid adult services criteria hamper dramatically transitions across services. Little knowledge exists about transitions from forensic adolescent services to adult services.ObjectivesTo interview health-care professionals and young offenders in transition of care from forensic child and adolescent mental health services in England.AimsThis study aimed to bridge the current literature gap in regards to transitions across forensic services and the complexities resulting from disruptive care.MethodsThis study adopted a prospective design to identify young offenders referred to adult services over a six-month period. We utilized semi-structured interviews. Health-care professionals were interviewed about their transition views and perspectives. Young offenders were followed-up within a month of their transition and were interviewed.ResultsThe numbers of transitions within forensic settings are much lower compared to those of general transitions across mental health services in England. Transition delays were a repetitive theme across interviews due to lack of bed availability, especially in medium secure hospitals, and poor multi-agency communication. Commissioning determines age boundaries along with transfer destination for each service.ConclusionsIneffective liaison among different sectors might impact adversely young people and hallmark their long-stay in the system. Therefore, continuity of care within forensic services should be looked warily along with the role of policy shaped by commissioning. Multiple transitions can repeatedly traumatize young people moving across services.


2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 123-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianna T. Kenny ◽  
Christopher J. Lennings ◽  
Paul K. Nelson

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