Youths and Incarceration in the U.S

As a prison reform activist and years of experience working with youths who struggles with identity issues, self-worth, addictions, mental health, and neuro-cognitive disorders (ADHD), this population faces one of the highest challenges with recidivism in the U.S prison system. Their mental health issues, addictions and cognitive disorders remain unaddressed. These youths continues to be punished based on hereditary issues that are beyond their control. Their identity becomes solely based on their act and not the whole individual and/or the individual circumstances.

The Department of Corrections throughout the U.S need mandated programs to provide effective rehabilitation services based on the individual needs to ensure a sense of empowerment on behalf of the incarcerated, thus creating safer communities. My work experience (inpatient behavioral medicine) have granted me the opportunity to be in the forefront working with young adults who have frequented incarceration in conjunction with ongoing challenges dealing with ADD/ADHD, mental health diagnosis and addictions. In particular, those individuals who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and/or have not been diagnosed in early childhood with manifested symptoms/traits have a higher probability for co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia.

In addition, these individuals with ADD/ADHD are more susceptible to self-medicate with illicit substances that increases the likelihood for incarceration in comparison to those who does not have the diagnosis ADHD/ADD. Research supports that International prison prevalence estimates for males having screen positively for childhood ADHD are up to 50% for prison populations in Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, and Sweden and in the United States (Young, 2011). It is time to make positive changes in our criminal justice system for our youths, in turn will make our community safer. My next book will focus on my dual role as both a health care professional and a mother who has had frequent encounters with the system and will speak to the needs of this hidden population who does not have a voice.