Predictors of Intensive Supervision Placements Among Detained Youths Within a Maximum-Security Residential Facility

• In Event: Poster Session 06
  In Poster Session: PS 06 Topic - Developmental Psychopathology

Abstract

A major goal of juvenile justice residential facilities is to rehabilitate detained youths to allow for successful reintegration into the community. Despite the resources provided to youths to aid in these rehabilitation efforts, some youths struggle with their initial adjustment and continue to engage in rule violating behaviors. Depending on the severity of the rule violation, detained youths may be separated from the general population and placed on one-to-one supervision (i.e., intensive supervision placement; ISP). Identifying risk factors of institutional separation for detained youths is important, as it may help inform prevention efforts so these youths are more likely to avoid the negative consequences (e.g., less access to rehabilitative resources, extended length of commitment) associated with multiple ISPs. To date, only one study has examined predictors of separation among detained youths (Taylor, Kemper, & Kistner, 2007) and it was found that age at admission, number of past arrests, and reactive/impulsive and psychopathic personality traits predicted ISPs. The present study aimed to extend these findings by drawing on similar studies with adult inmates (Helmus, Johnson, & Harris 2019, Lovell, Cloyes, Allen, & Rhodes, 2000; Motiuk & Blanchette, 1997; Thompson & Rubenfeld, 2013, Wichmann & Nefekh, 2001; and Wichmann &Taylor, 2004) and studies focused on predictors of institutional misconduct among detained youths (DeLisi, 2010; Leitch, 2018; McReynolds & Wasserman, 2008; MacDonald, 1999; Pool & Regoli, 1983; Tasca et al., 2010; Trulson, 2007; Van der Laan & Eichelsheim) to identify additional variables that may be relevant in placing youths at greater risk for ISPs during their initial adjustment to residential facilities. Based on the extant literature, the following variables were examined as potential predictors of separation within the first 3 months of youths’ (N = 119, Mean age = 16.64 years, 70% Black, 30% White) commitment to a maximum-security residential facility: age at admission, race, gang affiliation, number of total adjudicated offenses, number of past violent offenses, number of total institutional rule infractions, number of past commitments, and symptoms of externalizing psychopathology (i.e., symptoms of CD, ODD, and ADHD; substance use, and anger). Youths completed a self-report measure of psychological symptoms (i.e., Adolescent Psychopathology Scale) upon entry into the facility and demographic information, criminal history, and ISPs were coded from youths’ records and behavioral write-ups. Results of a negative binomial regression indicate that the predictors collectively accounted for a significant amount of variance in ISPs, likelihood ratio χ2(12) = 32.832, p = .001. Total number of past commitments, B(SE) = .618(.202), IRR = 1.86, 95%CI = .221–1.02, p = .002, and total number of rule infractions, B(SE) = .008(.003), IRR = 1.01, 95%CI = .002-.014, p = .013, were significant predictors of ISPs. Symptoms of conduct disorder also trended towards significance, B(SE) = .036(.020), IRR = 1.04, 95%CI = -.003-.076, p = .074. These findings are consistent with past research and suggest that detained youths who have previously been committed to residential facilities, struggle behaviorally when adjusting to these facilities, and have symptoms of CD are at greater risk for institutional separation.

Authors

• Tiffany Harris, University of Southern Mississippi
  Presenting Author

• Fayth Walbridge, University of Southern Mississippi
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kathleen Ramsey, University of Southern Mississippi
  Non-Presenting Author

• Stephanie Smith, University of Southern Mississippi
  Non-Presenting Author