Reducing out-of-community placement and recidivism: diversion of delinquent youth with mental health and substance use problems from the justice system.
For a number of reasons, researchers and policy makers are now focusing on diversion of youth from the juvenile justice system. This study examines New York State's diversion efforts focused on youth with mental health and substance abuse problems who are at risk of out-of-community placement (N = 2,309). Twelve counties participated in the Mental Health Juvenile Justice (MH/JJ) Diversion Project. Overall, the initiative was successful in reducing out-of-community placement and recidivism for diverted youth. In regression analysis site, services received, and problem-profile variables were important predictors of out-of-community placement. Prior record, prior placement, and significant mental health problems were statistically significant predictors of recidivism. This suggests some contrasts in explaining the results of two important goals of the MH/JJ project. Study results and implications for future research and intervention are discussed.
Sullivan
Christopher J
CJ
Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. csulliva@cas.usf.edu
Veysey
Bonita M
BM
Hamilton
Zachary K
ZK
Grillo
Michele
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009518:New York; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*