title: Six years on: a prospective cohort study of male juvenile offenders in secure care.
abstract: Longitudinal studies are helpful in understanding developmental trajectories and recognising opportunities for early intervention. This paper describes the long-term needs and mental health of an initial sample of male juvenile offenders, now adults 6 years after their index admission to secure care. In this prospective cohort study of 97 male juvenile offenders admitted to secure, offenders were assessed initially on admission, 2 and 6 years later. Interviews were conducted with 54 offenders at the 6-year follow-up and included an assessment of psychosocial need, mental health and psychopathy. Outcome data on offending behaviour were collected on a total of 71 offenders. Persistent offenders have needs in multiple domains as they transition into adulthood. The majority of offenders were single and about a half were in neither employment nor training. Almost nine out of ten offenders had a substance misuse disorder and a similar number met the criteria for a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Substance misuse in adolescence was strongly correlated with later substance misuse in adulthood, emphasising the importance of early intervention. A diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder and living with friends and family were both significantly associated with persistent offending behaviour. Many offenders continued to reoffend despite receiving offence-related interventions and custodial care. Interventions currently aimed at reducing recidivism in more severe offenders appear to be ineffective. Persistent offenders would benefit from a multi-modal approach based on individual needs, rather than receiving generic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Child and Family Service (Stepping Hill Hospital), Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. pchitsabesan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Prathiba
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chitsabesan
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rothwell
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kenning
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Lesley- Ann
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D057237:Criminals / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012306:Risk; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult