Dumping on Detention
Detention has become a new “dumping ground” for young people with mental health issues.
Despite the lowest youth crime rates in 20 years, hundreds of thousands of kids are still being locked away in secure detention centers, or juvenile jail. But lock up does not deter crime and does more harm than good for the kids themselves. This policy brief looks at the consequences of detention on kids and communities and the positive results coming from Casey’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI).
Up to 33% of young people will engage in delinquent behavior, but most “age out” of such behavior as they grow up.
Detention has become a new “dumping ground” for young people with mental health issues.
Over 40% of incarcerated youth have a learning disability.
33% of jailed youth are diagnosed with depression after being detained.
About 70% of kids are detained for nonviolent offenses.
