Perceived Needs and Interests of Juveniles Held in Preventive Detention

Abstract

The current study assesses the perceived needs and interests of juveniles held in preventive detention. The study involved 70 juveniles assigned to residential units at a juvenile detention facility. Juveniles were administered a written questionnaire that requested both quantitative and qualitative responses to items related to juveniles' perceived needs and interests. Frequency tests were performed to determine which perceived needs and interests are most and least pronounced among detained juveniles. The areas of need most commonly cited by detained juveniles were learning how to make better choices, learning more about computers, and learning to control anger better. Juveniles expressed an interest in most activities, with children versus staff contests, cultural diversity education, learning new board games and card games, doing arts and crafts, and taking care of a pet being the most popular items. In order to ensure that programs are helpful and enjoyable for detained youth, detention staff members should tailor programs and activities to the perceived needs and interests identified in the current study.

Academic Potential Among African American Adolescents in Juvenile Detention Centers: Implications for Reentry to School

“…Youth who are detained seem to have a clear understanding of their needs while detained. A survey of youth detainees in St. Louis revealed that the greatest perceived needs among detainees were to learn how to make better choices and cultural diversity education (Giovanni, 2002). …”