Civil Commitment of Youthful Offenders: Issues and Concerns

Abstract

This chapter discusses indefinite civil confinement of youth offenders whose criminal behavior is limited to their adolescence. The chapter discusses how the treatment needs of adolescents differ substantially from those of adults, and why placement of emerging adults in civil commitment facilities is likely iatrogenic. The author contends that the current sexual offender civil commitment schemes are inappropriate for individuals whose only sexual crimes were committed as juveniles. The author suggests that since there are no valid instruments to determine who is more likely than not to commit future acts of sexual harm, treatment needs of emerging adults are not met by the treatment regimens provided by sex offender civil commitment programs, and housing emerging adults who have no adult criminal history with men with extensive sexual offending and other criminal behaviors puts them at risk for exploitation and likely fosters violent acting out. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)