Parental Contact and Institutional Misconduct among Juvenile Detainees: Is There a Relationship?

• In Event: The Role of Family in Juvenile Court Processes, Institutional Misconduct, and Aftercare

Abstract

Previous studies have examined determinants of institutional misconduct among incarcerated juveniles. Factors that have been examined include demographic characteristics, current offense, prior history, victimization, and various mental health related variables. To date, minimal research exists exploring the impact of parental contact on institutional misconduct. Using data from a juvenile detention facility in rural Virginia, the present study aims to address the following question: Does parental contact influence the likelihood of a juvenile detainee engaging in institutional misconduct? Results from this study will help to inform policy.

Authors

• Nicole Hendrix, Radford University

• Riane M. Bolin, Radford University