Childhood Abuse and Institutional Misconduct

Abstract

Youth with histories of physical and sexual abuse are over-represented in the juvenile justice system. Though an extensive literature exists detailing the relationship between traumatization and subsequent delinquent offending, fewer studies examine how this relationship functions in carceral settings. Using data from the National Survey of Youth in Custody, 2018, the current study examines the relationships between physical and sexual abuse, mental health, gender, and violent institutional misconduct among incarcerated youth. Findings indicate that both boys and girls who experienced physical abuse prior to custody are more likely to be written up for violent misconduct within the facility. However, while girls who were sexually abused are also significantly more likely to receive a write-up for violent misconduct, boys who were sexually abused are not. Further, symptoms of poor mental health partially mediate the association between abuse and violent misconduct write-ups for boys, but not for girls. These results inform policy and practice by highlighting the need for court-based diversion programs for this at-risk group, and/or for further development of needs- and gender-sensitive programming for incarcerated and abused youth.