Book Description

"Exposure to early childhood trauma is associated with difficulties in self-regulation, aggression, and criminal behavior. In the United States, one in six male inmates report having experienced physical or sexual abuse before the age of 18. Less than half of juvenile justice institutions offer mental health services, and 57.5% of serious juvenile offenders meet criteria for at least one mental health problem. This research will use secondary analysis of the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities to examine the relationship between abuse experiences and offending behavior, similarities between offenders and their victims, and access to mental health treatment before and after incarceration. This research will add to the existing body of literature on trauma and offending behavior and highlight the need for trauma-informed care, greater access to mental health treatment for high-risk populations, and early intervention programs for children with exposure to trauma"--Abstract.