Transition planning and recidivism among mentally ill juvenile offenders.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent to which transition planning and community service would predict lower levels of recidivism among mentally ill juvenile offenders.

DESIGN

Review of legal, medical and social service records including examination of 3-month period following community release.

PARTICIPANTS

Juvenile offenders incarcerated for 6 months or more (N = 44) transitioning to community.

MEASURES

Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS), sum of different documented pre- and post-release discharge planning contacts, documented community service contacts.

OUTCOMES

Re-offense during the first year post-release.

RESULTS

Documented community service contacts in the 3 months following discharge were rare for mental health (20.5%), substance abuse (38.6%), financial assistance (29.5%), and school placement (34.1%). The average number of different pre-release and post-release discharge planning contacts was also low, M(SD)=1.86(1.68) and M(SD)= 2.34(1.71) respectively. Post-release discharge planning and the receipt of financial assistance and mental health services were all associated with lower levels of reoffending.

CONCLUSIONS

Community transition planning, including the coordination and provision of community services, is an essential component of community reintegration for juvenile offenders and is associated with lower rates of recidivism during the first year post-discharge.