Citation

McGarvey SC. Jurimetrics 2012; 53(1): 97-120.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Developed as a structure that seeks to rehabilitate rather than punish, the American juvenile justice system has yet to adequately address widespread mental health concerns among youth offenders. Scarred by childhood trauma and other societal challenges, youth within the juvenile justice system frequently struggle with mental health issues, which all too often go unnoticed and untreated. Meanwhile, modern developments in neuroscience have opened new windows into the juvenile mind and illuminated a path for reform within the juvenile justice system. Scientists have uncovered neural correlations beneath many diagnosable mental health disorders. Furthermore, neurological studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of treatment-based alternatives to juvenile detention in addressing the roots of mental growth and development. Such discoveries demand greater resource investment in the juvenile justice system to efficiently and effectively rehabilitate youth suffering from mental health issues.

KEYWORDS: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency