PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES OF A PRE-ADJUDICATION DIVERSION INITIATIVE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE INVOLVED YOUTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN TEXAS Academic Article

abstract

• Estimates of mental health disorders among youth involved with the juvenile justice system range from 50% to 75%, while general population prevalence is 9% to 20%. The system is ill-equipped to supervise these juveniles, and many are funneled deeper into the system due to noncompliance and often preventable problems. The authors used a retrospective design and evaluated a pre-adjudication diversion initiative utilizing specialized juvenile probation officers in Texas. Use of specialized supervision was effective at diverting youth with mental health needs from adjudication and increased participation and access to services by juveniles with such needs. Youth who received specialized supervision were significantly less likely to be adjudicated for the initial offense than those in a comparison group who received traditional supervision.

authors

• Colwell, Gregory

published proceedings

• CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR

author list (cited authors)

• Colwell, B., Villarreal, S. F., & Espinosa, E. M.

citation count

• 24

complete list of authors

• Colwell, Brian||Villarreal, Soila F||Espinosa, Erin M

publication date

• April 2012

publisher

• SAGE Publications  Publisher

published in

• Criminal Justice and Behavior  Journal

keywords

• Juvenile
• Mental Illness
• Probation
• Specialized Supervision

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1177/0093854811433571

start page

• 447

end page

• 460

volume

• 39

issue

• 4

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0093854811433571

user-defined tag

• 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• 3 Good Health and Well-Being