The public’s concern for adolescent violent crimes in its communities has sparked a national trend of legislative action to send these juveniles to adult court to stand trial. The adult criminal justice system already is overburdened with adult offenders. Adult jail facilities often are ill-equipped to handle the emotional, medical, and mental health needs of this special population of offenders. Existing medical and psychiatric programs must be very creative and flexible in their approach to providing services to this population. The issue created by transfer of violent juvenile offenders to adult court are reviewed. Recommendations and approaches to caring for these children are outlined.
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References
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Bureau of Justice Statistics. (1995) Sourcebook of criminal justice statistics-1992. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.
2.
National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Position statement on health services to adolescents in adult correctional facilities. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 5, 113-116.
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National Mental Health Association, Facts. Alexandria, Virginia.
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National Mental Health Association. (June 6, 1998) Draft position statement on children with emotional disorders in the juvenile justice system. Alexandria, Virginia.
