The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49405

Ann Cameron Williams, MLA, Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt Road, Suite 713, Chicago, IL 60608, 312-413-1860, acw1965@uic.edu

ABSTRACT

There is an estimated 28 – 70% of adjudicated youth in juvenile justice systems in the United States with disabilities. Yet there is a lack of research that accurately documents the type or prevalence of disabilities within these systems, making an assessment of quality of life through available disability-related services difficult, if not impossible. The needs of youth in detention and confinement are often not well understood by the general public, politicians, legislators, the media, and some education and treatment professionals. Misinformation, fear, and stigma concerning these youth translate to short-sighted public policy and contribute to limited placement options, insufficient supports and services, and an overall unwillingness to acknowledge and address inequities in the juvenile justice system. The problem to be addressed through this session is that little is known about the demographics of juvenile offenders with disabilities in secure treatment facilities and the issues they face that affect their immediate and future quality of life. The purpose of this study is to discuss the status of juvenile offenders with disabilities in secure treatment facilities through a descriptive survey. The two questions that this study will address are: 1) What is the status of juvenile offenders with disabilities in secure treatment facilities?, and, 2) What disability-related supports are available to youth with disabilities?

Learning Objectives:

• Participants in this session will acquire information on the issues facing juvenile offenders with disabilities. They will be informed on the current body of literature involving this population, the challenges the juvenile justice agencies face in providing adequate disability-related services to offenders with disabilities, and the rationale for embarking upon focused research initiatives. Participants will be develop a better understanding of the critical issues that this population faces in health, education, rehabilitation and re-integration into the community. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to articulate the seven major issues that juvenile offenders with disabilities face in juvenile justice facilities, identify the most health care concerns and articulate rationales for further research in this area.

Keywords: Correctional Health Care, Disability Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.