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ARTICLE REVIEW ASSIGNMENT
I am someone that is very interested in the criminal justice system and especially, the
juvenile justice system. Particularly, alternative forms of discipline for juveniles as incarceration
of juveniles have been shown to cause trauma to these individuals and often, further criminal
activity and further imprisonment. (Desal & Mexico, 2019)
STATEMENT PROBLEM
The Journal Article titled “ Hurt People, Hurt People”: The Trauma of Juvenile
Incarceration that was published in Issue, 51 of the Urban Review in August 2019, in which
researchers set out to present how trauma affects system-involved youth by creating emotional,
mental, spiritual, and physical distress by examining data they collected performing a Youth
Participatory Action Research Project with system-involved youth and their allies.
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Historically, the residential juvenile justice facilities have had three primary goals or
functions: increasing safety, enforcing sentences, and rehabilitating; however, a fourth goal is
now stepping to the forefront of any discussion regarding specifically, the mental health of
incarcerated youth that have been taken into the custody of juvenile detention centers. This
article mentions that 90% of detained and adjudicated youth offenders met the diagnostic criteria
for at least one mental health disorder and often those youth end up in custody due to not having
proper diagnosis and treatment of that disorder (P.Rawal, 2004). That is an alarming number that
equates to approximately 1.6 million youth offenders in the custody of the juvenile justice
system. Furthermore, per Abrams (2006) and Dierkhising et al, (2013), substantial evidence
shows that an overwhelming number of those system-involved youth have extensive traumatic
histories and a variety of trauma types including psychological, physical, and/or sexual abuse,
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living in poverty, domestic violence situations, living with a parent(s) that suffer from a
substance abuse disorder, and/or having a family member that is or has been incarcerated. (K.A.
Moore, 2016).
For incarcerated youth placed in custody, system generated trauma is another form of
trauma that these youth may suffer. Some of the juvenile detention centers mirror adult
correctional facilities in order to ensure security and compliance. That includes the use of things
like solitary confinement and holds, things that are unconstitutional and some consider to be
forms of cruel punishment. This trauma can lead to further deviant behaviors and can worsen
their physical, emotional or mental well-being. With any trauma their can also be other
comorbidities that exist such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, personality
disorders, ADHD, and even eating disorders.
One of the most important points other than mental health that this research team delved
into was regarding youths interactions with police and how it played a role in their trauma. This
referred to not only the interaction during arrest, in Court, during incarceration but also the
interaction they encountered in their daily lives, in their neighborhoods, and even homes. Some
youth have negative views of the law due to their interactions not being good. Stories of cops
harassing them because of their skin color, asking if they are gang affiliated, encounters in which
the law was called to their home for things like domestic violence, etc., are common amongst
youth offenders. Youth also commonly report mistreatment by the Police at the Courthouse.
Regardless of where it takes place, youth offenders that experience trauma do not just experience
the trauma once. Incarcerated youth will experience daily while in custody and each event causes
a trigger response from the previous time. The Black Lives Matter Movement even states that
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each such interaction could be potentially deadly for those youth that are in custody. (C. Royal,
2017).
In conclusion, some of the most important recommendations that the article mentions is
that all Juvenile Justice System personnel become more attuned to children’s behaviors and
understanding how trauma affects them and can cause sudden changes in their behavior or
emotions. Another recommendation is that wraparound services be offered to youth offenders
and be tailored to their individual needs. Regardless of what changes are proposed and made,
there should be no argument based on research such as that comprised in this article and other
research data from previous studies, that the system needs a change to help those youth that have
suffered trauma at the hands of the system or are currently experiencing trauma while
incarcerated. Something should be done to offer these troubled youth a fresh start and set them
up for success by giving them all of the tools they need to be a productive and kind member of
our society.
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References
C. Royal, L. (2017). Fight the Power: Making #BlackLivesMatter in urban education:
Introduction to the Special Issue. Urban Education, 53(2), 143-144. Retrieved 06 21,
2024
Desal, S. R., & Mexico, T. U. (2019, August 12). “Hurt People, Hurt People”: The Trauma of
Juvenile Incarceration. The Urban Review, 51, 638-658.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-019-00535-0
K.A. Moore, N. R. (2016). Adverse childhood experience and adolescent well-being: Do
protective factors matter? Child Indicators Research, 9(2), 299-316.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-015-9324-4
P.Rawal, J. R. (2004). Racial differences in the mental health needs and service utilization of
youth in the juvenile justice system. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and
Research, 31(3), 242-254. doi:https:..doi.org/10.1007/BF02287288
Ronald P. Rohner, The University of Connecticut. (2021, August 3). Introduction to
Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory (IPAR THEORY) and Evidence. United
States. doi:https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1055
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