The juvenile justice population has a high rate of inmates with mental disorders. In the last few decades, mental illness diagnoses have greatly increased. Many ill youths enter the criminal justice system and are put into juvenile detention centers, the juvenile justice system’s version of jail, due to their disruptive behavior (Holman & Ziedenberg, 2006). Many troubled youth and their families do not have access to local mental facilities, or proper medication to aid them. Poor access to resources can greatly increase tensions, puts strains on families, and even can be physically threatening. Society carries an ethical responsibility in ensuring youths are provided with mental care. Through my research, I have found many sources including,
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The New York Law School Law Review, “Juvenile Justice Reform in New York,” discusses detention for mentally unstable youth. The author Nancy Fishman uses case studies to show the effects of detention and the possibilities of mentally ill youths who are breaking the law. More specifically, this notion applies to the 15-year-old New York native, Anna. In Anna’s case, her problematic attitude disrupted her time in the classroom as well as her personal life. A spot in detention prevented her from causing any risk to both herself and those around her, as well as providing aid for her learning and studies. (Fishman, 2011). Fortunately, in a survey conducted in New York City from 1993 to the early 2000’s, youths entered into mental facilities grew by 60%..The large increase of mentally ill patients being admitted ultimately provided positive long term effects. An increase in mentally ill in detentions, means less unstable people on the streets, makes the general public safer (Fishman, 2011). In addition, youths who are released after a short period in detention are about 85% more likely to recidivate and be re-arrested (Fishman, 2011). The longer they are kept in confinement, the less likely they will be to re-enter because age is a key factor in criminal behavior. More specifically, Anna and others like her will be safer away from access to objects that can cause harm to herself and those around her. Youth’s placed in detentions are able her to receive resources from trained staff, needed to ultimately benefit them and those around
The New York Law School Law Review, “Juvenile Justice Reform in New York,” discusses detention for mentally unstable youth. The author Nancy Fishman uses case studies to show the effects of detention and the possibilities of mentally ill youths who are breaking the law. More specifically, this notion applies to the 15-year-old New York native, Anna. In Anna’s case, her problematic attitude disrupted her time in the classroom as well as her personal life. A spot in detention prevented her from causing any risk to both herself and those around her, as well as providing aid for her learning and studies. (Fishman, 2011). Fortunately, in a survey conducted in New York City from 1993 to the early 2000’s, youths entered into mental facilities grew by 60%..The large increase of mentally ill patients being admitted ultimately provided positive long term effects. An increase in mentally ill in detentions, means less unstable people on the streets, makes the general public safer (Fishman, 2011). In addition, youths who are released after a short period in detention are about 85% more likely to recidivate and be re-arrested (Fishman, 2011). The longer they are kept in confinement, the less likely they will be to re-enter because age is a key factor in criminal behavior. More specifically, Anna and others like her will be safer away from access to objects that can cause harm to herself and those around her. Youth’s placed in detentions are able her to receive resources from trained staff, needed to ultimately benefit them and those around