Biological Theory In The Juvenile Justice System

The biological approach founded by Cesare Lombroso is the best theory to support the argument being presented in this paper. The biological theory focuses on genetics and physiology of criminals, and chemical imbalances of the brain causing anti- social, and aggressive behavior along with depression and other disorders.

The biological approach of criminology focuses on the mental illness, behaviors and substance abuse dependency personalities. The juvenile justice system is system made up of youth offenders of many different ages, and since the brain is not fully developed and everyone’s genetic makeup is different it is often a grey area of the justice system. There are biological theories that support there is difference in a criminals and

In order to seek mental health services, youth offenders must receive a referral from a member of the staff. It estimated that as many as 60%- 70% of detained youths have an emotional or behavioral disorder. In the year 1990, nearly 98,000 youths were admitted to long-term juvenile correctional facilities with in the U.S. Once the youth offender is detained, mental health problems often to undetected. Most juvenile detention facilities do not have an suitable screening procedures, and proper funding for other suitable detecting mechanisms. (Barton, 1976). Referrals to mental health services goes hand in and with the lack of resources. There are four variables that makes up the referral process for mental health services. Things such as sociodemographic, criminal history, background and attitude of the referrer, and clinical factors all play a significant impact on with youth offender gets a proper referral. Females and Caucasians have a higer rate of proper referrals that any other gender or race. A youth who is a first offender at young age received significantly more mental health referrals than those without this history. Youth offenders with a background of criminal history are less likely to receive a referral for mental health

The state does not financially support the juvenile justice State, local governments fund most of the mental health services in the juvenile justice system. Although the mental health services are funded by government organizations, these government mental health programs are often not funded enough money to keep up with the rise in the need for mental health services. The juvenile justice system has no legal entitlement to receive mental health services funded by the government or state, and this causes serious problems though out the system. Unlike youth that are cared for under the child welfare system, insurances such as Medicaid doesn’t pay for mental health care youth offenders in the juvenile justice system. Medicaid funding is a major barrier in the justice system that prevents youth offenders from adequate mental health services (Rogers,Zima, Powell& Pumariega