The health needs of imprisoned female juvenile offenders: the views of the young women prisoners and youth justice professionals
The health needs of imprisoned female juvenile offenders: the views of the young women prisoners and youth justice professionals
Little is known about the health needs of detained juvenile females, yet there is emerging concern regarding substance misuse, mental health problems, poor sexual health and poorer general physical health on a range of indicators. This study sought to identify health needs from the perspective of imprisoned young women themselves and key professionals working with them to inform healthcare provision. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with detained juvenile women and adult professionals in four specialist female young offender institutions. The study presents new qualitative findings on the profound impact of social exclusion and multiple forms of abuse and victimisation on the health of juvenile women prisoners. Concerns regarding substance misuse, mental health problems, self-harm and poor sexual health are reinforced by this study. Young women tended to focus on their immediate health needs in contrast to the professionals who emphasised longer-term issues. The study identified the need for priority interventions in relation to mental health, substance misuse, self-harm and sexual health and tentatively suggests that 'compensatory care' may offer some scope to redress health inequalities experienced by these young women.
Adolescent, Attitude of Health Personnel, England, Female, Focus Groups, Health Status, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Juvenile Delinquency/psychology, Mental Disorders, Needs Assessment, Pregnancy, Prisoners, Self-Injurious Behavior, Sexual Behavior, Social Isolation/psychology, Substance-Related Disorders, Wales
66-76
Douglas, Nicola
216ea998-4cf5-498b-aa28-96def9f400c6
Plugge, Emma
b64d2086-6cf2-4fae-98bf-6aafa3115b35
Douglas, Nicola
216ea998-4cf5-498b-aa28-96def9f400c6
Plugge, Emma
b64d2086-6cf2-4fae-98bf-6aafa3115b35
Douglas, Nicola and Plugge, Emma
(2008)
The health needs of imprisoned female juvenile offenders: the views of the young women prisoners and youth justice professionals.
International Journal of Prisoner Health, 4 (2), .
(doi:10.1080/17449200802038256).
Abstract
Little is known about the health needs of detained juvenile females, yet there is emerging concern regarding substance misuse, mental health problems, poor sexual health and poorer general physical health on a range of indicators. This study sought to identify health needs from the perspective of imprisoned young women themselves and key professionals working with them to inform healthcare provision. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with detained juvenile women and adult professionals in four specialist female young offender institutions. The study presents new qualitative findings on the profound impact of social exclusion and multiple forms of abuse and victimisation on the health of juvenile women prisoners. Concerns regarding substance misuse, mental health problems, self-harm and poor sexual health are reinforced by this study. Young women tended to focus on their immediate health needs in contrast to the professionals who emphasised longer-term issues. The study identified the need for priority interventions in relation to mental health, substance misuse, self-harm and sexual health and tentatively suggests that 'compensatory care' may offer some scope to redress health inequalities experienced by these young women.
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e-pub ahead of print date: 1 February 2008
Keywords:
Adolescent, Attitude of Health Personnel, England, Female, Focus Groups, Health Status, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Juvenile Delinquency/psychology, Mental Disorders, Needs Assessment, Pregnancy, Prisoners, Self-Injurious Behavior, Sexual Behavior, Social Isolation/psychology, Substance-Related Disorders, Wales
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 485274
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/485274
ISSN: 1744-9200
PURE UUID: fe6f80b5-2288-4e52-9518-b67839042ef7
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Date deposited: 01 Dec 2023 17:58
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 03:57
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Author:
Nicola Douglas
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