Barnert ES, Perry R, Azzi VF, Shetgiri R, Ryan G, Dudovitz R, Zima B, Chung PJ. Incarcerated Youths' Perspectives on Protective Factors and Risk Factors for Juvenile Offending: A Qualitative Analysis.
Am J Public Health 2014;
105:1365-71. [PMID:
25521878 DOI:
10.2105/ajph.2014.302228]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
We sought to understand incarcerated youths' perspectives on the role of protective factors and risk factors for juvenile offending.
METHODS
We performed an in-depth qualitative analysis of interviews (conducted October-December 2013) with 20 incarcerated youths detained in the largest juvenile hall in Los Angeles.
RESULTS
The adolescent participants described their homes, schools, and neighborhoods as chaotic and unsafe. They expressed a need for love and attention, discipline and control, and role models and perspective. Youths perceived that when home or school failed to meet these needs, they spent more time on the streets, leading to incarceration. They contrasted the path through school with the path to jail, reporting that the path to jail felt easier. All of them expressed the insight that they had made bad decisions and that the more difficult path was not only better but also still potentially achievable.
CONCLUSIONS
Breaking cycles of juvenile incarceration will require that the public health community partner with legislators, educators, community leaders, and youths to determine how to make success, rather than incarceration, the easier path for disadvantaged adolescents.
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