Health Status of Detained and Incarcerated Youths

Abstract

Youths who are detained or incarcerated in correctional facilities represent a medically underserved population that is at high risk for a variety of medical and emotional disorders. These youths not only have a substantial number of preexisting health problems, they also develop acute problems that are associated with their arrest and with the environment of the correctional facility. Although the availability of medical services varies by the size of the institution, established standards are, in general, not being met. (JAMA. 1990;263:987-991)