The chapter tries to explain the challenges faced by juvenile offenders and the difficulties involved in trying to address the issue. The main focus of the chapter is to show that juvenile offences are attributable to mental ill health. As such offenders should not be committed to juvenile systems rather proper ways to address the mental disorders should be explored.
The chapter is also alert on the tribulations associated in the ascertaining of the mental disorder and the subsequent challenge due to the lack of conclusive evidence on what really ails juvenile offenders. Conversely, there is no single diagnosis for treatment of the offenders. Even if there was a way in which the mental illnesses were to be identified and even where the disorders are apparent the procedure as to which mental problem is to be diagnosed as the priority is not clear.
Most of the juvenile offenders have more than a sole problem yet there are no proper procedures to evaluate, control and care for such disorders. At times many of the offenders are condemned to life in health systems without being prepared fully to deal with the problems that ail them. Consequently, they are tossed between the established juvenile justice systems and the mental health schemes yet neither of such facilities is unable to offer conclusive solutions to the victims as well as their relations (Springer, 2007, pg 349).
Moreover, most of the juvenile offenders who eventually end up in mental schemes are by and large from the less privileged populace. Further, since the offenders are mentally affected by distinct challenges, the chapter suggests that each case must be treated differently instead generalizing. Consequently, the committing offenders to juvenile systems lead to dishonor among the juveniles and further face long term consequences such as inability to acquire employment, intricacies involved in reintegrating them into society. Such troubles are not endured by those who are placed in mental institutions.
In a bid to address the foregoing issues deliberate steps have been made. Such progress includes the establishment of proper screening devices and successful treatment especially for the psychologically challenged offenders. Realistic interventions such as biopsychosocial assessment have also been explored which as well inform best practices in the management of such youth.
With regard to the foregoing, the author concludes that the majority of juvenile offenders have comorbid mental illness. However, such offenders get inferior diagnosis than the rest save for instances where they obtain treatment early. Lack of resources in the available systems the affected persons are managed by both the juvenile justice and the mental health systems.
Springer, D., Roberts, A. (2007). Handbook of Forensic Mental Health With Victims and Offenders: Assessment, Treatment, and Research. New York. Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
