NCJ Number
242436
Date Published
March 2011
Length
4 pages
Annotation
After examining the impact of co-ed residential placement facilities and associated male-centered programs on girl residents, this paper presents guidelines for gender-responsive juvenile correctional programming.
Abstract
In the 2010 Survey of Youth in Residential Placement conducted by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), 36 percent of residents resided in facilities housing both boys and girls; and 35 percent of programs were co-ed. In the same survey, more girls than boys reported they feared being attacked (44 percent versus 36 percent). More girls than boys expressed fear of attack from another resident and from someone outside the facility. Studies conducted by Hodgins et al., 1997, and Nelson-Zlupko et al., 1995, found that for females in mixed or co-ed treatment groups, there is often a smaller ratio of females to males. The result is potential withdrawal from treatment discussions or failure to address personal issues. When issues are left unaddressed in co-ed groups, this may magnify a female's feelings of guilt, shame, and failure, which adversely affects treatment outcomes. A study by a Connecticut Judiciary Committee found that recidivism rates for girls housed in female-only facilities had significantly lower recidivism rates than girls who had been in co-ed programs. In 1998, OJJDP recommended that programs for girls be all female; girls should be treated in the least restrictive environment, whenever possible; programs should be close to their homes so as to help maintain family relationships; programs should be consistent with female development and emphasize the role of a relationship between staff and females; and programs should address pregnancy and parenting needs. The National Mental Health Association advises that programs for girls with problem behaviors should focus on healthy relationships, addressing victimization, and improving self-esteem.