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What is Juvenile Treatment?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Juvenile treatment is a form of intervention provided to juvenile offenders who experience mental health problems, including addiction. Many legal systems operate under the assumption that juvenile offenders can be rehabilitated if proper intervention is provided, and rather than allowing juveniles to disappear into the justice system, the courts would rather provide juveniles with an opportunity to undergo rehabilitation which might offer them a second chance. Juvenile treatment is offered in a number of justice systems, and can be administered in various ways.

When a juvenile is arrested, she or he is often screened by a social worker for signs of mental health problems which might complicate the juvenile's case. The social worker may refer the juvenile to a treatment court, or referrals can be made by judges, sometimes at the request of law enforcement or other concerned parties. In the treatment court, recommendations can be made to provide additional screening for the juvenile, and to establish a treatment plan.

Juvenile treatment can be used for juveniles who appear to be at risk of institutionalization.
Juvenile treatment can be used for juveniles who appear to be at risk of institutionalization.

Juvenile treatment can also be used for juveniles who appear to be at risk of institutionalization, even if they are not directly involved in the justice system. Ideally, intervention will be provided before the juvenile requires assistance from the courts, but this is not always possible, and treatment courts act as a filter to catch juveniles in trouble before they are incarcerated in facilities where it may be hard to provide treatment.

Counseling sessions are often part of a treatment plan for juveniles who break the law.
Counseling sessions are often part of a treatment plan for juveniles who break the law.

If a juvenile is deemed in need of treatment, he or she may be enrolled in an inpatient or outpatient program. Juvenile treatment facilities can provide secured areas for incarceration paired with mental health interventions which can include screening and treatment for mental health conditions, treatment for alcohol and drug addiction, and psychotherapy to help the juvenile address behavior problems. The juvenile will be periodically reassessed to see if the treatment appears to be effective, and to provide the courts with evidence that treatment was indeed merited.

Juveniles may be treated with some form of rehab if their offense involves drug or alcohol use.
Juveniles may be treated with some form of rehab if their offense involves drug or alcohol use.

The ultimate goal of juvenile treatment is to be able to help the juvenile build a new life which may include educational opportunities, chances at employment, and other measures which can help the juvenile avoid returning to the juvenile justice system. This is especially critical for older offenders who will enter the adult justice system if they cannot correct the course of their lives; juvenile treatment is designed to provide people with a safe, stable place to address mental health issues so that when they are released, they have a chance at healthier relationships and a more productive place in society.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Juvenile treatment can be used for juveniles who appear to be at risk of institutionalization.
      By: michaeljung
      Juvenile treatment can be used for juveniles who appear to be at risk of institutionalization.
    • Counseling sessions are often part of a treatment plan for juveniles who break the law.
      By: Monkey Business
      Counseling sessions are often part of a treatment plan for juveniles who break the law.
    • Juveniles may be treated with some form of rehab if their offense involves drug or alcohol use.
      By: lassedesignen
      Juveniles may be treated with some form of rehab if their offense involves drug or alcohol use.
    • A forensic psychologist may work with offenders at juvenile detention centers for educational purposes.
      By: Vibe Images
      A forensic psychologist may work with offenders at juvenile detention centers for educational purposes.
    • Juvenile treatment may be provided to juvenile offenders who have a drug addiction.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Juvenile treatment may be provided to juvenile offenders who have a drug addiction.