Justice Library

Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Data Summary and Trends Report 2009-2019 The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2009–2019 provides the most recent surveillance data on health behaviors and experiences among high school students in the US related to four priority areas associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, and unintended teen pregnancy: Sexual Behavior, High-Risk Substance Use, Experiencing Violence, and Mental Health and Suicide. 

Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Correctional Treatment and Supervision This article provides a rationale for trauma-informed care (TIC) in correctional services, and challenges readers to think about offending behavior through the lens of trauma. Based on interdisciplinary research and cross-theoretical literature, TIC can help in our quest to develop relevant and successful programs, practices, and policies, and the best methods for delivering them. Using Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s core principles of TIC, this article will make suggestions for the implementation of trauma-informed service delivery and practices across correctional settings. The authors translate trauma-informed concepts into practice behaviors through the acronym SHARE (safety, hope, autonomy, respect, empathy), which honors the principles of TIC recommended by SAMHSA and the principles of effective correctional rehabilitation. TIC in corrections may help improve the desired outcomes of successful re-entry and reduced recidivism.

Associations of adverse childhood experiences and suicidal behaviors in adulthood in a U.S. nationally representative sample The current study extends the research linking adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to suicidal behaviors by testing these associations using a nationally representative sample, assessing for suicide ideation and attempts in adulthood, controlling for established risk factors for suicidality, and measuring a broad array of ACEs.

Managing Mental Illness in Jails: Sheriffs Are Finding Promising New Approaches This report summarizes a PERF conference that was one of the first major projects of our Sheriffs Initiative. We examined the issue of managing mental illness in jails because many sheriffs told us it is the most complex challenge they face today. Mental illness is not an activity that sheriffs’ offices historically needed to manage. But with the crisis in America’s mental health system today, sheriffs have had little choice but to step up and address this problem head on. 

Responding to Persons Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis These documents provide guidance to law enforcement officers when responding to or encountering persons experiencing a mental health crisis. 

The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences, nationally, by state, and by race or ethnicity This brief uses data from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) to describe the prevalence of one or more ACEs among children from birth through age 17, as reported by a parent or guardian.

The Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in the Lives of Juvenile Offenders The study of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their negative repercussion on adult health outcomes is well documented. In a population of insured Californians, a dose-response relationship has been demonstrated among 10 ACEs and a host of chronic physical health, mental health, and behavioral outcomes.