Effectiveness of transition interventions within correctional settings

Youth with disabilities represent a large percentage of the population of youth in juvenile detention facilities. Research concerning this population is critical particularly for youth transitioning from juvenile detention to community settings. This report aims to answer two research questions: (1) To what degree is transition into community settings from juvenile detention facilities studied for youth with disabilities? (2) What are the effects of interventions aimed at transition into the community from juvenile detention facilities for youth with disabilities? After an extensive search using various methods including an electronic search, ancestral search, and hand searches, several articles were collected. Application of the inclusion criteria yielded eight studies. Of these eight studies, only three could be examined for the effect of transition interventions on youth with disabilities. Interventions were psychosocial, educational, or vocational in nature. Results indicated a critical need to advance effective intervention/transitional programs to reduce recidivism and reentry rates. Such intervention must begin immediately during incarceration and continue well after release in order to be successful. Intervention and transition programs must also be individualized to the particular youth’s circumstances in order to optimize successful outcomes. Implications, limitations, and future research are also addressed.