What About the Kids? Examining the Visitation-Recidivism Relationship Among Incarcerated Juveniles

Although the visitation-recidivism relationship has been studied extensively among adult correctional populations, it has received little attention among incarcerated juveniles. In this study, we use a diverse sample of youth released from confinement in Florida ( N = 7,296) to examine the effects of visitation and visitation consistency on two measures of recidivism—re-arrest and re-adjudication. We also consider whether the visitation-recidivism relationship varies depending upon youths’ risk for reoffending (as determined by sociodemographic, offense history, and family risk factors). The results indicate that, for the average juvenile, visitation is associated with a marginal reduction in the likelihood of recidivism, and that the effects are more pronounced for high-risk youth. These results underscore the importance of targeting the most at-risk youth for programming options within correctional facilities and suggest the need for continued availability of visitation programming generally.

Psychopathy, criminal social identity, and criminal network among murderers, attempted murderers, recidivists and first-time incarcerated juveniles from Pakistan

Background: The purpose of the current study was to examine the differences in primary and secondary psychopathy scores, criminal social identity dimensions (cognitive centrality, in-group affect, and in-group ties), and criminal network between four groups of juvenile offenders: murderers, attempted murderers, recidivistic nonhomicidal offenders, and firsttime nonhomicidal offenders. Participants and procedure: Self-reported data were collected among 725 male youth offenders (Mage = 16.47 years) incarcerated in four prisons in Pakistan. Results: The results revealed no significant differences in scores between the four groups of youth offenders on any of the measured variables. Conclusions: It appears that psychosocial selfreported measures may not be effective in discriminating among youth prison populations.

SHORT FICTIVE REFLECTIONS ON THE PERCEPTION OF A POSTSECONDARY EXPERIENCE OF LONG-TERM INCARCERATED JUVENILES

There is a gap in the literature regarding postsecondary opportunities for incarcerated youth. Research and curriculum design are rarely available for the purpose of improving juvenile postsecondary correctional education thereby not improving recidivism rates of formerly incarcerated students. The pilot program in this study attempted to provide a comprehensive university program for long-term incarcerated juveniles to get them on track to obtain a bachelor’s degree. This study addressed the academic experiences, including the School to Prison Pipeline and the academic experience to provide information, justifying the importance of creating postsecondary academic opportunities for incarcerated juveniles. Then, the study analyzed interviews with recently released students of the program to give insight to correctional education experiences vis-à-vis artistic representations, in this case, short fiction. This article presents fictive artistic representations that give a closer look at the secondary and postsecondary educational experiences of two of the cohort participants.

Reevaluating incarcerated juvenile education in the wake of COVID-19: Why the juvenile system should take advantage of the online learning wave

Incarcerated juveniles have the greatest need for education and potential for improvement, yet they are one of the most underserved populations in terms of public education. Juveniles in detention centers receive a lower quality education when compared to public education systems–courses exclusively based on worksheets, single-room style teaching methods, a shortage of textbooks, and underqualified teachers. They also struggle to earn and transfer credits. In addition, solitary confinement often denies access to education, adding further disadvantages. Currently, juveniles have a low reenrollment rate in the public education system after their release. This paper presents a solution for the future of juvenile education, using the national response to COVID-19 of moving education online as a blueprint, combined with social science research, to provide small amendments to promote an effective learning environment.

Patterns of Maltreatment Co-Occurrence in Incarcerated Youth in Australia

Child maltreatment research is increasingly recognizing the need to capture patterns of co-occurrence between different types of abuse/neglect and to consider their associations with psychosocial functioning. Few studies have examined these issues in justice-involved youth despite the fact that rates of maltreatment and trauma-related psychopathology are disproportionately high among this population. This study examined profiles of self-reported child physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect among incarcerated juveniles in Victoria, Australia, using latent class analysis. We also investigated associations between maltreatment profiles and mental health and behavioral problems. Data pertaining to juveniles’ experiences of maltreatment and mental health and behavioral functioning were collected from interviews, questionnaires, files, and administrative datasets. A three-class solution provided the best fit for the data and was conceptually meaningful: a “low/rare maltreatment” class (41%); “high physical and emotional abuse” class (23%); and a “poly-victimization” class (36%). Youth in the “poly-victimization” class experienced especially serious mental health and behavioral disturbances, including higher rates of mental illness, greater severity of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, impulsivity, substance abuse, self-harm and suicidal behavior, irritability, and early-onset violence. Results suggest there may be benefit in considering screening and assessment procedures in youth justice settings to identify poly-victimized youth in need of more intensive monitoring and treatment to address their complex clinical and behavioral profiles.

Reentry of Incarcerated Juveniles: Correctional Education as a Turning Point Across Juvenile and Adult Facilities

All incarcerated juveniles have to receive correctional education, but little is known about how these school experiences influence reentry. With longitudinal data of 569 incarcerated juveniles (91% male) from the Pathways to Desistance Project, this study tested how motivational (teacher bonding, school orientation, time spent on homework) and performance (grades) aspects of schooling were related to desistance for youth returning from juvenile versus adult facilities. Results revealed that across facility type, increased attachment to facility schools, but not grades, predicted increased gainful activity (attending school and/or working), less self-reported delinquency, and lower recidivism in the community. Path models showed that gainful activity during Months 1 through 6 was related to stay in community, but not to self-reported behavior in Months 7 through 12. Results indicate that incarceration is an environment that shapes future behavior, but also highlight differences between behavioral and system responses. Facility school experiences might be an important locus of intervention.