Female Juvenile Crime

Historically, there has been a very minimal amount of research on female crime in our society. Juvenile crime is on the rise once again, especially for female offenders. In recent years, many have come to realization that the problem of female delinquency is increasing faster than the problem of male delinquency. Crime rates amongst juveniles are up again since the 1990s. There has been an increase of young women offending at higher rates then ever seen before. In 2000, the National Institute of Justice studied incarcerated female offenders and discovered a link between abuse and criminal behavior. A shocking 75 to 95 percent of female offenders are former victims of abuse various forms of abuse[1]. Any form of abuse can result in low self-esteem and poor judgment for young women.

In a 1996 U.S. Department of Justice Report, the number of arrests of young women had doubled between 1989 and 1993. Twenty percent of all juvenile arrests were committed by girls, an increase of 87 percent. [2] The bulk of crimes committed by young women are assault and illegal substance abuse. Females are more likely to also commit status offenses, which consist of running away and often lead to prostitution. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, female juvenile crime is often embraced by the public, the news media, elected officials, and juvenile justice practitioners. Females should not be treated any different than males. In order to deter crime, our society has to start making examples of females who commit crimes.

1. nij.ncjrs.gov/publications/pubs_db.asp
   


2. www.justice.gov

Mental Health issues in Juvenile Proceedings

Over the last decade, mental health issues with youth in the juvenile justice system have been continually ignored. As a result, federal initiatives are now realizing the scope of the problem and the inadequacy of mental health care in juvenile correctional facilities. More states are beginning to focus on the importance of mental health issues because one of the primary responsibilities of the juvenile justice system (JJS) is to care for youth with mental health illnesses. Hence, this issue has also resulted in more juveniles being prosecuted in adult courts because the JJS have very little to go on when attempting a diagnosis. It is estimated that between 50 to 75 percent of incarcerated youth nationwide have a diagnosable mental health disorder. [3] The JJS has often failed to perform standardized screening and assessments. Sadly, youth of color are often not diagnosed.

As states face more and more economic problems, funds directed to mental health programs in institutions, schools, and communities are being slashed. About two-thirds of the nation’s juvenile inmates — who numbered 92,854 in 2006, down from 107,000 in 1999 — have at least one mental illness, according to surveys of youth prisons, and are more in need of therapy than punishment. [1] Above all, California has the nation’s worst JJS and is currently under a federal mandate to improve mental health services. California’s main focus with youth has been punishment and not rehabilitation. Many of these juvenile come in with mental issues that are never addressed. According to federal investigators, three dozen youth offenders seriously injured themselves or attempted suicide in the last year — a sign, state juvenile justice experts say, of neglect and poor safety protocols. [2] Inadequate mental health resources can lead to an increase in the recidivism rate.

Mental health issues of youth are increasing rapidly nationwide. Surprisingly, one in ten children suffers from mental illness that can cause impairment and only one in five children receive mental health services. [3] There is so much that needs to be done and so little funding. Research needs to be done on JJ and mental health programs to better serve vulnerable populations. There also needs to be better communication from schools, family, and medical institutions.

1. http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/

2. http://www.nri-inc.org/reports_pubs/2009/BudgetShortfalls.pdf

3. "Report on the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A National Action Agenda." (January 2001). Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services.