I'm a slave man for sure: incarcerated teens' restoried narratives of resistance

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to challenge the “single story” narrative the authors utilize counterstorytelling as an analytic tool to reveal the paradox of exploring human rights with incarcerated BIPOC teens whose rights within the justice system are frequently ignored. Shared through their writing, drawing and discussions, the authors demonstrate how they wrote themselves into narratives that often sought to exclude them.Design/methodology/approachThis paper centers on the interpretations of Universal Human Rights by Black adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system in the Southeastern region of the United States. Critical ethnography was selected as we see literacy as a socially situated and collaborative practice. Additionally, the authors draw from recent work on the humanization of qualitative methods, especially when engaging with historically oppressed populations. Data were analyzed using a bricolage approach and the framework of counterstorytelling to weave together the teens' narratives and experiences.FindingsIn using the analytic tool of counterstories, the authors look at ways in which the stories of colonially underserved BIPOC youth might act as a form of resistance. Similarly to the ways that those historically enslaved in the United States used narratives, folklore, “black-preacher tales” and fostered storytelling skills to resist the dominant narrative and redirects the storylines from damage to desire-centered. Central then to our findings is the notion of how to engage in the work of dismantling the inequitable system that even well-intentioned educators contribute to due to systemic racism.Research limitations/implicationsThe research presented here is significant as it attempts to add to the growing body of research on creating spaces of resistance and justice for incarcerated youth. The authors seek to disrupt the “single story” often attributed to adolescents in the juvenile justice system by providing spaces for them to provide a counternarrative – one that is informed by and seeks to inform human rights education.Practical implicationsAs researchers, the authors struggle with aspects related to authenticity, identity and agency for these participants. By situating them as “co-researchers” and by inviting them to decide where the research goes next, the authors capitalize on the expertise, ingenuity and experiences' of participants as colleagues in order to locate the pockets of hope that reside in research that attempts to be liberatory and impact the children on the juvenile justice system.Social implicationsThis study emphasizes the importance of engaging in research that privileges the voices of the participants in research that shifts from damage to desire-centered. The authors consider what it may look like to re-situate qualitative research in service to those we study, to read not only their words but the worlds that inform them, to move toward liberatory research practice.Originality/valueThis study provides an example of how the use of counterstorytelling may offer a more complex and nuanced way for incarcerated youth to resist the stereotypes and single-story narratives often assigned to their experiences.

Developing a Smartphone-Based Adjunct Intervention to Reduce Cannabis Use Among Juvenile Justice-Involved Adolescents: A Multiphase Study Protocol (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system who use cannabis are at an increased risk for future substance use disorders and rearrest. Many court-involved, non-incarcerated (CINI) youth are referred for services in the community and often encounter multiple barriers to care, highlighting a need for minimally burdensome services that can be delivered in justice settings. Digital health interventions are accessible, easy to implement, and can provide ongoing support, but have not been developed to address the unique needs of CINI youth who use cannabis. OBJECTIVE This multiphase study will develop, implement, and pilot test a novel smartphone app, Teen Empowerment through Computerized Health (TECH), to reduce cannabis and other substance use among CINI youth. TECH is conceptualized as a digital adjunct to a brief computerized intervention delivered by our family court partner. METHODS Following the principles of user-centered design, Phase I interviews with CINI youth ages 14-18 (n = 14-18), their caregivers (n = 6-8), and behavioral health app developers (n = 6-8) will guide TECH design decisions. Next, in Phase II CINI youth (n = 10) will beta test the TECH app prototype for 1 month; their feedback regarding feasibility and acceptability will directly inform the app refinement process. Finally, in Phase III CINI youth (n = 60) will participate in a pilot randomized control trial for 6 months comparing the preliminary effectiveness of the adjunctive TECH app on cannabis use outcomes. RESULTS Phase I data collection began in September 2020 and was completed in December 2021; 14 CINI youth, 8 caregivers, and 11 behavioral health app developers participated. Phases II and III will take place in 2022-2023 and 2023-2025, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This body of work will provide insight into the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone-based adjunctive intervention designed for CINI youth. Phase III results will offer preliminary indication of the effectiveness of the TECH app in reducing cannabis use among CINI youth. CLINICALTRIAL We completed Phase I of this 3-phase research study in December 2021. The pilot RCT (Phase III of the research) is scheduled to launch in Summer 2023 and will be submitted for registration the clinicaltrials.gov website within 21 days of enrolling the first Phase III participant.

Child Delinquency, ACEs, and the Juvenile Justice System: Does Exposure to ACEs Affect Justice System Experiences for Children?

Thousands of children ages 12 and under are referred to juvenile justice systems each year, and little is known about how their experiences may differ from those of older youth. The purpose of this study was to compare risk factors associated with juvenile justice referral between children and adolescents and examine differences in adjudication and disposition of referred children and adolescents. The moderating role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) was also examined. Using data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, results suggest children referred to the juvenile justice system are more likely to have experienced greater numbers of ACEs, have family and school problems, and be referred by schools. Results also indicate children and adolescents differ in their experiences within the juvenile justice system, and that experiences vary according to exposure to ACEs. Results suggest juvenile justice system officials should consider the unique needs of children referred to the system and be cognizant of the influence of non-legal factors in decision-making for this population.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (REBT) MODULE ON DELINQUENT ADOLESCENTS’ DEPRESSION IN TUNAS BAKTI SCHOOL

Delinquent adolescents with depressive disorder have a higher number than the general adolescent population. Depression is associated with negative behavior and moral misconduct that can endanger themselves and society. Thus, this study aims to identify the effectiveness of the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) module in overcoming depression among delinquent adolescents. This study involved a total of 100 adolescents age between 15 to 20 who were detained under the juvenile justice system at Sekolah Tunas Bakti (STB), Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. All respondents were selected using simple random sampling and divided into two groups, namely the treatment group (n = 50) who received therapy using the REBT module, and the control group (n = 50) who were not given the same therapy. ANCOVA repeated measure was used to identify the significant changes in depression score between groups. The results of the analysis showed that there were significant differences between groups. Adolescents who were received therapy using the REBT module showed lower depression scores than adolescents from the control group. This study provides an important finding as an alternative intervention therapy to be used by the therapists and the trainers at the juvenile rehabilitation center in promoting adolescents’ positive emotions.

Proportionality of response to criminally illegal behavior of minors

Modern international standards indicate that the basis of criminal law policy to prevent juvenile delinquency should be a child-friendly juvenile justice system. This system focuses on the application of alternative and non-criminal sanctions (warning, reprimand, restitution and compensation). Based on international standards of juvenile justice, we can note their focus on ensuring the best interests of the child, the predominance of sanctions and measures that may have an educational impact, compensation for damages, creating conditions for reconciliation of victims and offenders and eliminating the consequences of crime, ensuring a meaningful life of a teenager in society. Juvenile sentencing is more loyal approach and shown in comparison with adults with regard to property penalties (if the minor has income or property) (parts 1, 3 of Article 99 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), reduced limits of punishment (parts 1, 2 of Article 100, 101, part 1 Article 102 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), restriction of using of imprisonment depending on the gravity of the crime and the characteristics of the juvenile. It is established that in addition to ensuring the best interests of the child and the use of as many non-punitive measures as possible against juvenile, it is also necessary to pay attention to other circumstances of the case. In particular, a balance must be struck between the best interests of the juvenile and a proportionate response to his or her behavior. In particular, it is necessary to take into account the repeated commission of criminal offenses, as well as the one-time application of incentive rules to juvenile. And pay attention to alternatives to imprisonment that may be more effective. In particular, mediation and rehabilitation practices can be more effective.

Alliances to Disseminate Addiction Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT): Assessing the Exchange of Ideas in Alliances Between Juvenile Justice and Community Mental Health Centers

Background/Hypothesis: In the US, over half of youth involved in the juvenile justice system meet criteria for substance use disorder (SUD). Further, SUD is a consistent predictor of recidivism. Thus, significant improvements are needed to assure that justice-involved youth who meet criteria for SUD are screened and referred to care, especially in rural settings. ADAPT, an ongoing, statewide project, employs a learning health system (LHS) model to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) to develop and improve alliances between juvenile justice (JJ) and community mental health centers (CMHCs). We assessed collaboration, “alliance,” between these systems. Methods: The LHS alliance was assessed with self-report surveys distributed to personnel at 8 county sites. These included the cultural exchange inventory (CEI) measure to assess the process of exchanges in knowledge (beliefs about the process of implementing EBPs), and outcomes of those exchanges (beliefs about the outcome of interagency collaboration), to assess the alliance between JJ and CMHCs. Results: Pre-implementation surveys indicated a significant difference between CMHC respondents (CEI Output M=3.55, SD=1.53) compared to JJ respondents (M=2.89, SD=1.57) about the outcomes of the exchange of ideas [t(190)=2.13, p=0.03]. Both CMHC (CEI Process M=3.93, SD=1.45) and JJ participants (CEI Process M=3.84, SD=1.96) reported similar beliefs about the process of idea exchange t(119)=0.27, p=0.78). Further, participants from low rurality counties (i.e., more urban) reported less favorably to beliefs about the outcomes of collaboration (CEI Output M=3.16, SD=1.62) compared to medium rurality county participants [M=3.76, SD=1.39; t(120)=2.03, p=0.04]. Thus, we find a difference in perception of collaboration both between systems and between counties of varying rurality. Conclusion/Potential Impact: These findings help capture the current barriers to collaboration that exist between JJ and CMHCs before implementation of the LHS framework. Understanding these barriers between systems is essential to better cultivate interagency alliances to improve care for justice-involved youth with SUDs.

Experiences in a rehabilitation programme: Case studies of male juvenile offenders in a correctional school in Vietnam

<p>While the challenge of rehabilitating juvenile offenders has attracted international research interest, the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders in Vietnam has received little research attention. This study employed a qualitative collective case study approach to gain insights into how eight juvenile offenders perceived and experienced a rehabilitation programme in a correctional school in Vietnam. It drew on the perspectives of juvenile offenders, teachers and one manager. Deprivation, importation and Aker’s social learning theories provided a theoretical framework to explore the juvenile offenders’ experiences. Data were collected through observations, interviews and document analysis supplemented by field notes and a research journal. Data were then analysed thematically. The findings suggest that individual characteristics, family and peers played roles in the development of juvenile offenders’ antisocial behaviours and in their engagement with the rehabilitation programme. These roles could be positive and negative. The case studies illustrate the ways in which the programme was perceived to influence the young people’s thinking and behaviour in positive and negative ways. For instance, the eight young participants all recounted examples of modifying their behaviour in a deliberate attempt to ‘game’ the staff. This was done in order to gain preferential treatment, and as a means to coping with the ‘pains’ of incarceration. The case studies illustrated short coming in the current provision of educational and vocational training programmes intended to support reintegration into the community. A lack of alignment between the school programmes and future educational and labour market opportunities is likely to potentially undermine the policy goal of successful reintegration into the community. Based on the findings of this study, it is proposed that rehabilitation policy and practice in Vietnam should be reviewed and reformed. This study highlights the need to better meet the social, emotional and educational needs of young people in the Vietnamese juvenile justice system. Future research and policy initiatives should be focused on minimising recidivism and supporting reintegration into society on release. There should be guidelines to ensure there is active cooperation between families, the correctional schools and local authorities. It is recommended that the family should be involved in youth rehabilitation processes in the correctional school.</p>

Experiences in a rehabilitation programme: Case studies of male juvenile offenders in a correctional school in Vietnam

<p>While the challenge of rehabilitating juvenile offenders has attracted international research interest, the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders in Vietnam has received little research attention. This study employed a qualitative collective case study approach to gain insights into how eight juvenile offenders perceived and experienced a rehabilitation programme in a correctional school in Vietnam. It drew on the perspectives of juvenile offenders, teachers and one manager. Deprivation, importation and Aker’s social learning theories provided a theoretical framework to explore the juvenile offenders’ experiences. Data were collected through observations, interviews and document analysis supplemented by field notes and a research journal. Data were then analysed thematically. The findings suggest that individual characteristics, family and peers played roles in the development of juvenile offenders’ antisocial behaviours and in their engagement with the rehabilitation programme. These roles could be positive and negative. The case studies illustrate the ways in which the programme was perceived to influence the young people’s thinking and behaviour in positive and negative ways. For instance, the eight young participants all recounted examples of modifying their behaviour in a deliberate attempt to ‘game’ the staff. This was done in order to gain preferential treatment, and as a means to coping with the ‘pains’ of incarceration. The case studies illustrated short coming in the current provision of educational and vocational training programmes intended to support reintegration into the community. A lack of alignment between the school programmes and future educational and labour market opportunities is likely to potentially undermine the policy goal of successful reintegration into the community. Based on the findings of this study, it is proposed that rehabilitation policy and practice in Vietnam should be reviewed and reformed. This study highlights the need to better meet the social, emotional and educational needs of young people in the Vietnamese juvenile justice system. Future research and policy initiatives should be focused on minimising recidivism and supporting reintegration into society on release. There should be guidelines to ensure there is active cooperation between families, the correctional schools and local authorities. It is recommended that the family should be involved in youth rehabilitation processes in the correctional school.</p>

A Pilot Study to Adapt a Trauma-Informed, Mindfulness-Based Yoga Intervention for Justice-Involved Youth

The purpose of the present study was to adapt and pilot a trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga (TIMBY) intervention focused on enhancing self-regulation among youth in the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice system. In this article we (1) describe the process by which we systematically adapted an evidence-based protocol specifically for this population, (2) describe the nature of and rationale for those adaptations, (3) present some preliminary qualitative findings based on interviews with youth participants, and (4) briefly summarize how the adapted protocol will be evaluated in the subsequent feasibility trial. The iterative drafting and revision process involved modifications to a well-established, protocolized Trauma-Informed Yoga program and was identified by the project advisory board and t h rough formal interviews with intervention staff. Qualitative interviews were conducted with youth participants concerning intervention impact, credibility, and satisfaction. Several needed modifications were identified so that the intervention would be contextually appropriate for justice-involved youth. Thirty youth were enrolled in the pilot study: 77% we re Non - Hispanic Black/African-American, 18% were Non-Hispanic White, and 5% were Hispanic White. The average age was 16.45 years (range 14–20). The youth consistently reported satisfaction with the sessions and positive beliefs about how the sessions were helping them with a range of physical and psychological/ emotional challenges. Adaptations to the protocol in the present study highlight how mindfulness-based interventions for justice-involved youth need to consider what is both developmentally suitable for youth and appropriate in a justice setting. A feasibility study using this revised TIMBY protocol is underway at four Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice facilities to formally identify the barriers and facilitators to implementation for the present study and a future, larger-scale trial.

Anorexia nervosa, conduct disorder, and the juvenile justice system: a case of applying traditional treatment modalities in a non-traditional setting

Background Anorexia Nervosa is highly comorbid with depressive, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. However, it has not previously been reported as comorbid with antisocial personality traits, except when substance use disorder is also identified. We present an unusual case of a patient with resistant anorexia nervosa and comorbid conduct disorder. This case was also unique in that the juvenile justice system was involved during treatment. Case presentation A 13-year-old female was admitted to our pediatric hospital for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. She had a history of violent behaviors toward family members, often jeopardizing her care. During hospitalization, she physically attacked a physician on her care team shortly before she transitioned to an eating disorders treatment program. She was diagnosed with conduct disorder, and following discharge, she attacked her father in a premeditated act. This led to her entry into the juvenile justice system. While under the custody of the juvenile justice system, she was readmitted to our hospital for further treatment of anorexia nervosa. Our treatment strategy included psychotropics, positive reinforcement, close interdisciplinary coordination among the various hospital teams, and the juvenile justice system. Following discharge from her second hospitalization back to the juvenile detention system, our patient maintained a healthy weight and appeared to show improvements in the cognitive distortions related to her eating disorder. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first reported successful treatment of an individual with resistant anorexia nervosa and conduct disorder. It was likely a combination of weight gain, psychotropic medications, and the structured milieu provided by the juvenile justice system that led to the effective treatment of our patient. This case illustrates that a non-traditional healthcare setting can be an asset to treatment through persistence and close collaboration across institutions.