Adolescents in Custody: Implications for Suicide Prevention (IN: Preventing Youth Suicide: Proceedings of a Conference Held 24-26 July 1990, edited by S McKillop)

This paper reported on the findings of a study of the mental health of young people in custody in Adelaide. 82 young people in custody were compared with 240 schoolchildren & 82 psychiatric referrals. The highest percentage of positive responses to questions about suicidal thoughts were found among the remanded youth. Survey results showed that among young people in custody, nearly half are likely to be in need of psychiatric assessment & care. Other significant social & educational deficiencies were also identified among this group. These needs are overlooked & it is suggested this may be one reason for high rates of recidivism. (5 refs.)