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This study examines the predictors of disciplinary problems within a juvenile correctional facility. The goal is to identify factors that contribute to differences in disciplinary outcomes among incarcerated juveniles. The study analyzes archival data from the facility and includes factors such as age, mental health, medication, ethnicity, and individual differences as potential predictors. The results show that mental disorders and medication use are significant predictors of disciplinary problems.
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Predictors of Disciplinary Problems within a Juvenile Correctional Facility Michelle Painter Hanover College
Incarcerated Juveniles • Indiana: 2386 (2010) • 286 were female, 2100 were male • Theft, battery, resisting law enforcement
Predicting Outcomes Some incarcerated juveniles receive few disciplinary reports and punishments and have a short stay, whereas others receive many disciplinary reports and punishments and have a long stay. What accounts for the difference?
Facility • All girls maximum security correctional facility • Average daily population: 90 • 4-6 months (Median: 152 days) • Restorative Justice Program (Dhami et al., 2009) • Reduce re-offending • Improve self-esteem and pro-social skills
Archival Data Approval of the Department Of Corrections (DOC) • 2 databases: DOC (e.g., disciplinary reports) and Medical Services (e.g., medication) • DOC numbers used to match across databases but then removed Sample: All inmates that were released from the facility between June 1st and December 31, 2010 Goal: identify predictors of disciplinary outcomes within the facility.
Participants • 111 females • Age 12-19 • Ethnicity • 60% Caucasian • 26% African American • 12% Hispanic • 1% Mixed Ethnicity
Predictors Disciplinary Problems • JCR’s per month • Segregation per month • 2 outliers removed • JCR's and Segregation are correlated r=.77 • Standardized and averaged together • Facility • Therapy • Visitation • Individual Differences • Mental Health • Medication • Ethnicity • Age
Predictors of Disciplinary Problems Note: ***p< .001, **p< .01, *p< .05, .p< .10
Disturbances of Conduct • Combination of CD, ODD, and other “disturbances of conduct” • 93% were diagnosed with a mental disorder • Previous Research • Mental disorders were strongest predictor for delinquency in females (Welch-Brewer et al, 2011)
Medication • 66% were on at least one medication • 59% antidepressants • 32% antipsychotics • 27% mood stabilizers
Predictors of Disciplinary Problems Note: ***p< .001, **p< .01, *p< .05, .p< .10
Limitations and Future Directions • Self-report jeopardizes accuracy: Trauma, drug use • Qualitative Research • Exploration of other facilities • Examine the effects of time • Direction of Influence • Policy recommendations for predictors • Examine medications in more detail • Socioeconomic Status
History of Abuse • 30% experienced some type of abuse • 20% experienced Sexual Abuse • 10% experienced Physical Abuse • 6% experienced Emotional Abuse • This did not predict any of the outcomes
Visitation • Visitation had no noticeable effect • 29% of this sample received visitations • Therapy Not a predictor • 80% participated in at least one therapy session