From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-569490-372375
ADELAIDE, Australia (UPI) -- The physical and mental health needs of
juvenile offenders should be a priority if offenders have any hope of
rehabilitation, Australian researchers suggest.
"The health of young offenders is commonly poorer in comparison with
the general youth population," lead author Dr. Anne Wilson said in a
statement.
The review, published in the Australian Journal of Primary Health, and
co-authored by doctoral student Phillip Tully found:
-- Mental health, grief and trauma are among the most common issues
affecting both male and female young offenders.
-- Youth who are detained in secure care show significantly higher
rates of mental health issues than young offenders who are not
detained.
-- Young offenders in secure care generally have a poor level of
physical health because of issues such as frequent substance abuse,
head injury, exposure to direct trauma injuries or exposure to
violence, hepatitis C infection and liver disease, and exposure to
sexually transmissible diseases.
-- Young offenders have a higher death rate than similar aged
non-offenders, with as many as 70 percent of deaths attributable to
drugs and suicide.
-- High-risk sexual behavior leads to higher rates of pregnancy among
young female offenders.