Do Gang-Involved Youth Differ from Broader Justice-Involved Youth?: Perceived Barriers and Access to Services

• In Event: Evolving Challenges in Juvenile Justice

Abstract

The population of justice-involved youth represents a particularly vulnerable group, and within this population, those involved in gang activities face even more heightened risks of victimization, education disengagement, incarceration, and mental health challenges. Despite these challenges, insights into their access to and perceptions of barriers to services aimed at addressing behavioral, emotional, or substance use challenges remain limited. Leveraging longitudinal data on 1,829 justice-involved youth, including 754 gang members, from the Northwestern Juvenile Project, this study seeks to fill this gap. Specifically, we examine the service utilization patterns among justice-involved youth and their perceived barriers to service using a number of logistic regressions, focusing on comparing those who are gang-involved with their non-gang-involved counterparts. Preliminary findings indicate disparities in service access between these two subgroups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to overcome identified barriers and support the unique needs of gang-involved youth within the justice system.

Authors

• Laura Sophia Nolterieke, University of Cincinnati

• John Leverso, University of Cincinnati