Juvenile justice, mental health, and the transition to adulthood: A review of service system involvement and unmet needs in the U.S.

Highlights

• We summarized the developmental and service needs of justice-involved transition age youth with mental health problems.

• Transition age youth are a unique subgroup within the juvenile justice system.

• There are high rates of mental health problems among this group.

• We highlighted areas in need of further research.

• We provided nine specific policy and practice recommendations for this group.

Abstract

Although adolescents are the primary focus of juvenile justice, a significant number of young people involved with this system are considered transition age youth (i.e., 16–25 years of age). The aims of this review are to summarize the specific needs of transition age youth with mental health conditions involved with the juvenile justice system, identify the multiple service systems relevant to this group, and offer recommendations for policies and practice. A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify and synthesize the literature. Findings highlight the paucity of research specific to transition age youth. Thus, we also summarized relevant research on justice-involved adolescents, with a focus evaluating its potential relevance in the context of the unique milestones of the transition age, including finishing one's education, setting and working towards vocational goals, and transitioning from one's family of origin to more independent living situations. Existing programs and initiatives relevant to transition age youth with mental health conditions are highlighted, and nine specific recommendations for policy and practice are offered.

Introduction

Each year, more than 2 million children, adolescents, and young adults formally come into contact with the juvenile justice system in the U.S. (Puzzanchera, 2009). The majority of these youth (65–70%) have at least one diagnosable mental health problem, and 20–25% have serious emotional problems (Shufelt and Cocozza, 2006, Teplin et al., 2002, Wasserman et al., 2002). The current system for rehabilitation often fails to address or even presents barriers to meeting the multiple needs of such young people. Transition age youth are a particularly vulnerable subgroup in the juvenile justice system, as this age group has the highest rates of mental health problems (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2012) and also face multiple transitions in life roles during this developmental period. This paper provides an overview of service system issues for mental health practitioners, juvenile justice professionals, policymakers, and allied professionals whose work brings them in contact with transition age youth with mental health needs in the juvenile justice system.

Though the predominant focus of the juvenile justice system is on adolescents, a significant number of justice-involved youth fall into the developmental period known as the transition age, which refers to youth ages 16 through 25 years (Davis & Vander Stoep, 1997). The number of transition age youth served by the juvenile justice system varies by state for two reasons. First, there is variability across states in the upper age of jurisdiction in the juvenile court—the age at which an individual who breaks the law would be processed in the juvenile versus adult court system. Fig. 1 shows that the majority of states consider crimes committed through age 17 as juvenile offenses. Only a few states have an upper age of 16, and two currently have a limit of 15. Second, there is variability in the age at which youth are transferred from the juvenile to adult justice systems. Fig. 2 shows that only a few state juvenile justice systems end their involvement with youth at age 18. It is more common for justice-involved youth to remain under juvenile jurisdiction through age 20, with some states allowing extension to age 24.

Given the large number of transition age youth involved with the juvenile justice, it is important for this system to be well-informed about the significant changes in educational, vocational, and relational roles, including reduced family influence and changing social networks, inherent to this age group (Arnett, 2000). This developmental period poses challenges for even the most well-adjusted youth as they make long-term decisions about careers and move from their family of origin to more independent living situations (IOM (Institute of Medicine) and National Research Council (NRC) [NRC], 2014). Normative transitions include completing school or vocational training, obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, developing a social network, and becoming a productive citizen. Success is determined by a complex interplay between youth, their families and neighborhoods, and available opportunities.