title: Effects of out-of-home mental health treatment on probability of criminal charge during the transition to adulthood.
abstract: Criminal justice-related outcomes for youth who have been served in out-of-home mental health settings such as residential treatment and inpatient hospitalization are unclear. This study longitudinally modeled the changing probability of being charged with a crime from age 16 to 25, including being served in out-of-home treatment and aging into adulthood, while controlling for person-level covariates such as gender, race, past criminal charges, and mental health diagnoses. Results indicated that out-of-home treatment was related to a decreased probability of being charged with a crime during treatment. However, the preventive effect was small; estimates indicated only one criminal charge avoided for every 4 years of out-of-home treatment. Out-of-home treatment had no relationship to posttreatment probability of charge. Other significant contributors to being charged included gender, a substance use diagnosis, and an offense record prior to age 16. Evidence indicated that out-of-home treatment was used as an alternative to detention and incarceration for both juveniles and adults.
authors: Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98102, USA. pullmann@u.washington.edu
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Pullmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003415:Crime / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors