Health and Welfare Outcomes for Adolescents Following Release from Prison in Queensland, Australia: A Prospective Cohort Study

• Main Authors: Rohan Borschmann (Author), Dominique de Andrade (Author), Stuart A. Kinner (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background: The transition from prison to the community can be a difficult process and may present different challenges for adolescents (aged < 25 years) compared with their older peers. Methods: Using data from a prospective cohort study in Australia, we compared the health and welfare outcomes of adolescents (aged < 25 years) and adults (aged ≥ 25 years) at 1, 3, and 6 months after release from prison. Results: After one month, adolescents were less likely to be unemployed (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.31; 95% CI 0.15-0.63), report low levels of social support (aOR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21-0.80), or report high psychological distress (aOR 0.50; 95% CI 0.25-0.99). After three months, adults were more likely to have visited a general practitioner (aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.04-4.07) and adolescents remained less likely to be unemployed (aOR 0.37; 95% CI 0.19-0.74). After six months, adolescents were three times more likely to have used amphetamine-type stimulants (aOR 3.42; 95% CI 1.29-9.09). Conclusions: Adolescents experience different challenges than their older peers when transitioning from prison to the community. Age-specific, integrated support is needed for adolescents during this critical period, including strategies to promote early primary care contact, capitalise on social support networks, and discourage risky substance use.

Item Description

10.3390/adolescents1020014
2673-7051