Efficacy of a decompression treatment model in the clinical management of violent juvenile offenders

Abstract

Criminal recidivism was assessed for 10 highly disruptive and aggressive, incarcerated juvenile offenders who received decompression treatment, for 10 matched controls who received mental health treatment services, and for 10 assessment-only controls. Treated participants were matched with controls on a number of demographic, behavioral, and personality variables. Decompression treatment was developed to improve the institutional adjustment of mentally disordered adult offenders and is adapted here for juvenile offenders. Participants in the decompression treatment and usual treatment groups were both significantly less likely to recidivate in the approximately 2-year follow-up period than were assessment-only subjects who received mental health assessment only and received the usual juvenile corrections rehabilitation services (10%, 20%, and 70% recidivism, respectively). The results suggest that decompression treatment may be successfully applied to the most unmanageable and disruptive institutionalized juvenile offenders.