NCJ Number
191527
Journal
International Nursing Review Volume: 47 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2000 Pages: 184-190
Date Published
2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examines the long-term health outcomes for detainees within the Juvenile Justice Centers in New South Wales, Australia. A model of interdisciplinary discharge planning is proposed to address the interface between the detainee transferring to another facility or being discharged into the community.
Abstract
Health care delivered in Juvenile Justice Centers in New South Wales, Australia, leads to improvement in the health status of detainees while in custody but this declines on discharge, and is aggravated by a breakdown in community care. In an effort to halt this decline in health status, a model of interdisciplinary discharge planning is proposed to address the interface between Juvenile Justice Centers and adult correctional facilities and the community. Key features of the process are: collaboration through the development of links by establishment of a community liaison coordinator position; open and continuous communication between service providers; continuous involvement of detainees and their significant others; and ongoing support to detainees once discharged. Evaluation of the discharge-planning process ensures that the process is appropriate to meet the needs of this specific and diverse population of young people and supplies feedback to all service providers. The trusting relationship that is developed between detainees and registered nurses within centers leaves nurses ideally placed to coordinate the discharge planning process. References