Mental Health Needs of Juvenile Offenders

Recently, researchers and juvenile justice administrators have recognized that rates of mental health disorders are remarkably high among adolescent offenders. This finding carries significant implications for policy and practice. Youth justice facilities are mandated to provide necessary mental health treatment to detained adolescent offenders with mental health needs. Furthermore, mental disorders may interfere with youths' capacities to stand trial and/or culpability. This entry discusses some recent advances that have been made in our understanding of mental health issues among juvenile offenders and points out key gaps in knowledge.

Rates and Types of Mental Disorders among Juvenile Offenders

The mental health of adolescent offenders has been identified as one of the single most important issues currently faced by the youth justice system. Reported rates of mental disorders ...

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