More than one million teens land in juvenile courts. Around 160,000 of them are referred to troubled youth programs like detention centers, residential treatment centers, correctional institutions and group homes. However, reports suggest that such settings do more harm than good to troubled youth. They can cause depression, thoughts of suicide, acting-out behaviors and recidivism among these teens. The good news is many psychologists and social science experts have a solution to this problem.

No Scientific Backing

Social Policy Report by the Society for Research in Child Development published in 2011 suggests that programs for troubled youth such as detention centers, residential treatment centers, correctional institutions and group homes further damage the psychology. It can cause depression, thoughts of suicide, acting-out behaviors and recidivism. A major reason for that is that these programs do not have the backing of science. The troubled teen has to go through legal processes and is then kept at a distance from other human beings. That makes the situation worse than before.

Diverting Troubled Teens

Psychologists and social scientists are formulating a community-based ‘diversion’ program that aims to keep juveniles out of the courts, especially those who have committed non-violent crimes or ‘status’ offences such as truancy like running away from home, defying parents or other figure of authority.

These diversion centers are not only responsible for a decrease in psychological problems but are also improving outcomes such as re-offense rates and family relationships. This saves juvenile justice system a lot of money.

Additionally, these programs are using advanced research methodology. Psychologists not only analyze their financial status but also the environment that they grow up in. They might be hailing from a drug-ridden, crime-infested violent background, for instance, which might be why they are in trouble. Treating troubled teens is not just about changing the kid or the family. It is also about looking at neighborhoods and community contexts as well.

A Lack of Family Involvement

The programs for troubled teens also fail because of a sheer lack of family involvement in the treatment of juveniles. Diversion centers also aim to make family involvement a vital part of the treatment of teen felons. Both the troubled teen and their family make drastic changes in their behavior. It focuses more on the strengths of the family and teen rather than their weaknesses.