Integrating mental health and special education needs into comprehensive service planning for juvenile offenders in long-term custody settings

Previous research has established that justice-involved youth have higher rates of both learning disabilities and mental health disorders compared to youth in the community. Both need areas raise substantial intervention and rehabilitation concerns that must be addressed via educational and mental health service plans. The current study investigated rates of special education and mental health needs identified at admission in a large sample of youth admitted into a long-term secure custody facility. The proportion of overlap and specific patterns of educational and mental health problems were explored. Special education results were consistent with prior studies in finding an overall learning disability rate of 39.8%. The special education designation of Emotional Disturbance was common among youth with elevated admission mental health screening results. Demographic differences and implications for assessment and long-term service planning are addressed.

Research Highlights► 3.98% of youth was admitted with a special education designation. ► Specific Learning Disability and Emotional Disturbance were common designations. ► MAYSI-2 DA, AI, and SI elevations were associated with special education designations.