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PENNSYLVANIA - GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS - REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

NCJ Number
57248
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1978
Length
70 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT AND SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS IS THE PRODUCT OF A 6 MONTH STUDY OF THE STATE'S MENTAL HEALTH DELIVERY SERVICE.
Abstract
THE TASK FORCE, WHICH INCLUDED MEMBERS FROM THE JUDICIARY, LEGISLATURE, PSYCHIATRY, AND CHILD-SERVING PROFESSIONS, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, EXAMINED TWO REPORTS ON THE CURRENT INSTITUTIONAL SITUATION BY A PSYCHIATRIST, SPECIALIZING IN ADOLESCENTS, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC RECORDS AT THE NINE STATE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES, LIMITED DATA FROM THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM, AND VERBAL REPORTS FROM INSTITUTIONAL DIRECTORS AND THEIR DIRECT CARE STAFF. IN ADDITION, IT SURVEYED CORRECTION DEPARTMENTS IN SEVERAL OTHER STATES CONCERNING THEIR FACILITIES FOR MENTALLY DISTURBED YOUTHS AND ADOLESCENT OFFENDERS, PATIENT POPULATIONS PER EACH FACILITY, AND THE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS USED IN CONNECTION WITH MENTALLY ILL JUVENILES. THE FOCUS OF THE STUDY WAS ON ASSESSING THE NUMBERS OF YOUTH INVOLVED, AND THE TYPE, NATURE, AND ADEQUACY OF AVAILABLE TREATMENT SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE CHANGES NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM. ON THE BASIS OF THE DATA GATHERED, THE TASK FORCE WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE AVAILABLE TO IT PREADJUDICATION/PREDISPOSITION MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR DIAGNOSIS, EVALUATION, AND CONSULTATION; (2) AMBULATORY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS, YOUTH FORESTRY CAMPS, AND STATE-SUPERVISED JUVENILE FACILITIES; (3) A TOTAL OF 180 TO 210 DECENTRALIZED MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR HARD CORE VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDERS WITH SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND RESEARCH SERVICES; AND (4) A TOTAL OF 30 TO 50 SECURE, DECENTRALIZED PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENT BEDS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR MENTALLY ILL JUVENILE OFFENDERS. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PROVIDED AND APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE STUDY DATA AND PROFILES OF THE VARIOUS PENNSYLVANIA FACILITIES AND PROJECTS FOR JUVENILE AND MENTALLY ILL JUVENILE OFFENDERS. (DAG)