Breaking the cycle

Juvenile crime, especially violent crime, is a major societal problem. There has been political pressure calling for prolonged incarceration and residential treatment. A family focused day treatment can be an alternative. This book reports on a study on the effectiveness of a forensic mental health day treatment program for juvenile delinquents compared to incarcerated youngsters. Outcome showed the strongest effects in preventing incarceration and keeping the adolescent at home within the community. Less strong effects were reducing violent crimes and severity of crime. Staying at school and/or work was difficult; even in the treatment group 40% did not succeed in staying at school and/or work a year after day treatment. There were no differences in general crime recidivism. After treatment the aggression and psychopathology of the adolescent was reduced and conflict management within the family improved. This book is of interest for both professionals and policy makers in the field of adolescent forensic mental health. It describes the transforming process to a family focused day treatment program (adding Functional Family Therapy).