Girls in the juvenile justice system: Leave no girl's health un-addressed

Associations between juvenile delinquency and weight‐related variables: Analyses from a national sample of high school students

“…The interactions appear to indicate that delinquents who are younger or female are especially vulnerable for health problems. 38,39 Additional research is needed to increase understanding about the nature of these moderator effects.…”

Age of First Arrest, Sex, and Drug Use as Correlates of Adult Risk Behaviors Among Rural Women in Jails

“…Findings showed that women in this sample reported initiation of both substance use and sexual behaviors earlier than national averages (Haydon, Herring, Prinstein, & Halpern, 2012; SAMHSA, 2014). Age of initiation of sex or drug use is less often assessed in samples of incarcerated adult women, but among detained juveniles, research has demonstrated that early involvement is also common among girls (Guthrie et al, 2002; Kelly et al, 2007). Similarly, age of first arrest is rarely reported in adult populations, but Pelissier (2004) found an average of 24.2 years of age among a sample of women in prison-based drug treatment programs, similar to the 23.3 years of age observed in the current study.…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that women involved in the criminal justice system are often involved in sexual relationships with high-risk partners, and at times perform sex in exchange for money, drugs, or favors (Clarke et al, 2006; Knudsen et al, 2008). Similarly, incarcerated juvenile girls also self-report a higher number of lifetime sexual partners than their non-incarcerated peers, possibly due to younger average age of sexual initiation (Guthrie, Hoey, Ravoira, & Kintner, 2002; Kelly, Owen, Peralez-Dieckmann, & Martinez, 2007). Such behaviors can place women in danger of unplanned pregnancies and emotional or physical harm, or may expose them to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), both of which are common among populations of incarcerated women (Javanbakht et al, 2014; Maruschak, 2012; Spaulding et al, 2002).…”

A Pilot Program to Address Healthy Sexual Behaviors Among Girls in Juvenile Detention

“…Adolescents in an out‐of‐home detention experience compounded health threats related to participation in risk‐taking behaviors, poor health care prior to adjudication, lack of healthcare facilities while detained, and a dearth of positive health role models in the juvenile justice system (Gallagher, Dobrin, & Douds, ; Greene, Lucarelli, & Shocksnider, ). Adolescents in detention centers are more likely to drop out of high school, live in poverty, and participate in substance abuse than nondetained adolescents (Guthrie et al., ; National Council on Crime and Delinquency, ).…”

“…Learning about reproductive health and the consequences of unsafe sexual practices are important for every teen; they are paramount for young people involved in the juvenile justice system. Teens in the juvenile justice system report high rates of risky sexual behaviors and associated negative consequences (Broaddus & Bryan, ; Chang, Bendel, Koopman, McGarvey, & Canterbury, ; Godin et al., ; Guthrie, Hoey, Ravoira, & Kinter, ; Kelly, Bair, Baillargeon, & German, ; Kelly, Cheng, Dieckmann, & Martinez, ; Kelly, Morgan‐Kidd, Champion, & Wood, ; Perper & Manlove, ). Youth in juvenile detention have a greater risk for mental health issues and, in turn, those with mental health issues have a higher risk for legal interface and incarceration (Bonham, ; Ruffulo, Sam, & Gookind, ).…”