Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>> AMITA: It appears that teenage girls in custody face far more challenges than boys.
The study shows that girls entering juvenile hall are more likely to have come from abusive
homes and show signs of mental health problems. Joining me are Cynthia Burk and Kim Allen,
deputy of field services. Welcome to the program.
Cynthia what are the most stark differences that girls in detention face than boys?
>> The two biggest difference we saw was that girls were more likely to report that they
had contact with Child Protective Services, 64% compared to 15% for the boys and they
were more likely to run away from home. Why that matters is many come in for less
serious crimes, status offenses, but there are underlying risk factors there that we
need to look at and if we just put them in the system and punish them we're not dealing
with that underlying trauma, there is much more common substance abuse, using ***, ecstacy,
and spice, and LSD. So we want to look at that because if we don't
address those while they're juveniles coming into the system they're going to be at greater
risk as adults to continue on because they're going to keep acting out in a ways that the
justice system says is a crime, prostitution and sex acts, we want to get that early on
>> AMITA: So they're getting this as early as 11, where?
>> It's all out there. We ask them how easy drugs are to get and
90% are saying Marijuana is easy to get, and we're asking about prescription drug abuse
and those who are using substances illegally, the *** and the marijuana and the ***,
it's out there. >> AMITA: Do the findings support what you're
seeing out in the field? >> Absolutely.
We're seeing a higher occurrence of girls using substances and the girls that are coming
in are using more than they have in the past. >> AMITA: And what sorts of programs is the
juvenile detention facility offering to maybe meet these girls' needs?
>> The probation department has specific programming both in custody and out of custody.
In our girls' rehabilitation facility we have specific programming regarding trauma, the
prosecution issue� prostitution issues, family, communication, public health nurses
work with the girls because some of them are parents themselves.
Outside of custody we have the wings program work to go ensure and nurture girls' success,
that is specifically for girls targeting risky behaviors early on, be they substance abuse,
truancy and runaway behaviors. And we're looking at trauma and how we can
best address trauma so we do not retraumatize them once here in the system
>>> And I think it's important to emphasize that these services are available around the
country and a girl doesn't need to get into the system to get access to those services.
Probation has done a great job of providing services from prevention through the graduated
sanctions, once they have been adjudicated through the system and these are warning signs
that we want to get out, if you work with a girl and you see them having these issues,
there are services available if you call probation. >> AMITA: Why are girls facing more challenges?
Do they have more stressors in their life? >> We find the risk factors for boys and girls
are the same except the exposure for girls are greater, *** victimization that can
happen in a home situation and relationships are important to everybody but girls are much
more likely to be affect by that, a mentor can make a difference for them.
If you see a girl who is start to go October�out in a way that� act out in a way, don't be
afraid to step up and help them. >> AMITA: Are there more programs gender specific
planned because of these findings? >> Absolutely, the probation department recently
applied for a grant related to crossover youth, youth who have had an experience in the dependency
system and are at risk for crossing into the justice system so there is a lot of discussion
and education out there regarding traumainformed care, working with crossover youth and keeping
kids from coming into the system and if they are in the system preventing them from going
further into the adult system. >> AMITA: Thanks for coming on today.
>>> Thank you.