Youth Perceptions of Staff as a Predictor of Restrictive Housing and Recidivism in Juvenile Detention Facilities

Abstract

Background: Youth perceptions of detention center staff may be particularly important for achieving desired outcomes both within juvenile detention centers and after youth are released. In order to fill gaps in the literature, the current study aimed to determine the role of youth perceptions of staff by (a) establishing the appropriate use of a youth perceptions of staff measure, (b) examining the relationship between youth perceptions of staff and restrictive housing and recidivism, as well as (c) evaluating the moderating role of callous unemotional (CU) traits. Methods: Youth admitted into two juvenile detention facilities in the Midwestern United States were administered questionnaires and assented to participate in research, resulting in a sample of 228 youth. Hypotheses: It was expected that a one factor model would best characterize the use of the youth perceptions of staff measure. Further, it was anticipated that more negative perceptions of staff would be related to increased risk for and incidents of restrictive housing and detainment over the course of one year. High levels of CU traits were expected to moderate the associations between youth perceptions of staff and outcomes of interest. Results: Findings differed between the two facilities. Youth perceptions of staff emerged as a significant predictor of risk for recidivism in facility one but not facility two. Further, youth perceptions of staff was a significant predictor of risk for and frequency of restrictive housing in facility two but not in facility one. Additionally, for youth exhibiting higher levels of CU traits, more negative perceptions of staff were associated with increases in the frequency of restrictive housing in facility two. Conclusions: The current study suggests that youth perceptions of staff may be an important factor to consider within juvenile detention facilities, and that these perceptions may be particularly important for youth exhibiting CU traits. Further, it appears that the implementation of universal interventions is important to consider in these associations.