Modelling the Relationship between Mental Health Issues and Offending in the Context of the Juvenile Justice System: Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice

• In Event: Justice Involved Youth, Young Adults & Mental Health Issues

Abstract

Mental health difficulties are far more prevalent in justice-involved youth than in the general youth population. However, seemingly conflicting perspectives on the role of mental health issues in youths’ offending and justice system contact have complicated efforts to create policy and deliver effective practice to youth in the juvenile justice system. In terms of creating and implementing legislation, it is important to consider the implications of how the relationship between mental health and offending is modeled for questions with respect to findings of guilt (e.g., ability to form criminal intent, culpability) as well as for sentencing (e.g., assessment of risk, proportionality). In terms of correctional and community practice – particularly when the goal is ‘rehabilitation’ – it is important to understand how mental health issues relate to risk of future offending in order to promote effective assessment and intervention practices (i.e., those associated with reduced offending).We review how the relationship between mental health issues and offending is construed in the psychology literature as well as in Canadian youth justice policy and consider the implications of these models for the assessment and treatment of justice-involved youth.

Authors

• Michele Peterson-Badali, University of Toronto

• Sarah McCormick, University of Toronto

• Tracey Skilling, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health