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Research
It is estimated that between 60-75% of the youth in the juvenile justice system have one or more diagnosable disabilities. These can include emotional and behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and developmental disabilities. The most common diagnoses include Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, (ADHD), Learning Disabilities (LD), Depression, Developmental Disabilities (DD), Conduct Disorder, Anxiety Disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSC). In many cases the youth are dual-diagnosed. More than half also have a diagnosis of chemical dependence.
Most youth with disabilities will not become involved in delinquent or criminal behavior. The risk factors for delinquency and criminal behavior are complex and may include a history of abuse, poverty, family mental illness, drug use, and school failure. However, among offenders, emotional, behavioral, learning and developmental disabilities are much higher than their incidence in the rest of the population.
Online Articles
An NCDD Publication:
Breaking the Cycle of Abuse in Juvenile Facilities
An ODJJ Publication: Characteristics of Juvenile Suicide in Confinement
Child Development, Children's Mental Health and the Juvenile Justice System: Principles for Effective Decision-Making. (2003). Arredondo, M.D., David E., Stanford Law & Policy Review.
The Detrimental Effects of Group Placements/Services for Youth with Behavioral Health Problems. The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.
A Center for Children’s Advocacy Report: Truancy:
A Closer Look, the link between unmet educational needs and truancy, December 2006
Early Violent Death Among Delinquent Youth: A Prospective Longitudinal Study. (2005). Teplin, L.A., McClelland, G.M., Abram, K.M.,
& Mileusnic, D. Pediatrics, 115(6).
Jailing Juveniles: The Dangers of Incarcerating Youth in Adult Jails in America, Campaign for Youth Justice
The Future of Children has released its latest publication,
Juvenile Justice (Vol. 18, No. 2). Accompanying the journal is an
Executive Summary and a
Policy Brief.
The Minnesota Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee’s Annual Report and Recommendations to Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Minnesota Legislature for the State of Minnesota, October 2008
Positive Behavior Support Offered in Juvenile Corrections. (2005). Nelson, C.M., Sugai, G., & Smith, C.R. Counterpoint, 1, 6-7.
Psychiatric Disorders of Youth in Detention. (2006) Teplin, L. A., et al. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Rethinking the Juvenile in Juvenile Justice. (2006). Wisconsin Council on Children
& Families.
School Yard or Prison Yard: Improving Outcomes for Marginalized Youth. (2005). Center for Community Alternatives. 2005.
SNAPSHOTS--Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
Schools Use New Tactics for Trouble Dropping 'Get Tough' Approach Gets Results. (2006). New Haven Register.
A NAMI Publication: Supporting Schools and Communities in Breaking the Prison Pipeline: A Guide To Emerging and Promising Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth February, 2009
Tools for Promoting Educational Success and Reducing Delinquency. (2007). National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the National Disability Rights Network.
Using Adolescent Brain Research to Inform Policy: A Guide for Juvenile Justice Advocates, National Juvenile Justice Network
Snapshot on Minnesota Youth: YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Issue Briefs available from the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development & Juvenile Justice:
- Issue Brief #1: Adolescent Legal Competence in Court
- Issue Brief #2: Creating Turning Points for Serious Adolescent Offenders: Research in Pathways to Desistance
- Issue Brief #3: Less Guilty by Reason of Adolescence
- Issue Brief #4: Assessing Juvenile Psychopathy: Development and Legal Implications
- Issue Brief #5: The Changing Borders of Juvenile Justice: Transfer of Adolescents to the Adult Criminal Court
Additional Reading: Books and Other Resources
The Changing Borders Of Juvenile Justice: Transfer of Adolescents to
the Criminal Court. (2000). Fagan, J., & Zimring, F. E. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
The Juvenile Court Response to Victims of Offenders, A Training Curriculum. (1999). Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Lost Boys. (1999). Garbarino, J. New York, NY: The Free Press.
Relinquishing Custody: The Tragic Result of Failure to Meet Childrens Mental Health Needs. (2000). Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Available for purchase at: http://www.bazelon.org/issues/children/custody/index.htm.
Serious and Violent Juvenile Offenders: Risk Factors and Successful Interventions. (1998). Loeber, R.,
& Farrington, D., eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Special Education Advocacy Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for Children in The Juvenile Delinquency System. (1998). Tulman, J.,
& McGee, J.A., eds. Washington, DC: University of the District of Columbia School of Law.
Taking Charge of ADHD (revised edition). (2000). Barkley, R. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Youth on Trial: A Developmental Perspective on Juvenile Justice. (2000). Grisso, T.,
& and Schwartz, R. G. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
PACER's site offers many PDF files for download, which require 
