Despite not having specific special education laws, Norway’s Lov om grunnskolen og den vidaregåande opplæringa (Act Relating to Primary and Secondary Education and Training) law provides individualized instruction to students who qualify for special education services after an extensive evaluation process. Improvements are recommended in special education competency among general education teachers to improve the educational outcomes of students with behavioral challenges and also to help educators meet Norway’s preference to keep students with disabilities in general education classrooms.

Juvenile incarceration in the United States is declining; however, the rate of female youth incarceration is on the rise. Incarcerated female youth are more likely to have educational disabilities compared with female youth in public schools, as well as higher rates of mental health disorders and less consistent relationships with caregivers compared with incarcerated male youth. This article compares the characteristics of incarcerated female youth and the services available for incarcerated youth in the United States, Norway, and Mexico. Like the United States, Mexico is known for high rates of incarceration, whereas Norway is known for low rates of incarceration. All three countries have laws protecting the right for incarcerated youth to access education and juvenile facilities provide educational services. While this type of program is important, female offenders report that programs focused on close personal relationships were integral. Norway alone puts an emphasis on building positive relationships with facility staff and on involving community members in the programs for incarcerated youth. This may be a factor in Norway’s low incarceration rates and may help address the needs of incarcerated female youth in the United States and Mexico.