Young, Mentally Ill and Behind Bars

To the Editor:

In response to rallying cries of “get tough on crime” in the 1980s, many policies were put in place that have led to skyrocketing prison populations. The most troubling, with profound effects, is in the juvenile justice system.

The systematic use of and reliance on the criminal justice system to deal with mental health problems of our youth have been misguided. Not only is this a waste of taxpayer money, but it is also tragic for the youth, families and communities in which they reside. The juveniles who are imprisoned because of mental illness are often without adequate treatment and without hope of recovery. They will be doomed to a life of crime and their victims will suffer. The economic crisis has worsened the situation, as it has resulted in a reduction of support for treatment of mental illness.

Congress should address the policies and revisit laws that result in an extraordinary number of youth with mental health disorders landing in prison. Instead, when possible, home-, family- and community-based care that addresses the underlying disorders should be used.

Greater collaboration is also needed among everyone involved in the lives of youth. Earlier detection of mental health and substance abuse disorders of juveniles in the justice system; increased training for juvenile court, corrections and law enforcement personnel; and expanded services and programs that have been proved to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for juvenile offenders are needed in order to improve the likelihood that juveniles with mental health disorders will get the help they need to become productive members of the community.

As Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. told the American Bar Association during its annual meeting this month in Chicago, while we need to be tough, we also need to be smart on crime.

Carolyn B. Lamm
President, American Bar Association
Washington, Aug. 12, 2009