Congressional Testimony Indicates Many Children Improperly IncarceratedA nationwide survey of 340 juvenile detention centers indicates that youth with mental disorders are being locked up because there is no place else for them to go while awaiting treatment, many being held with no charges. The survey, which was sought by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) and presented July 6 at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Government Affairs in Washington, DC, indicates that children as young as seven are being incarcerated due to a lack of access to mental health care. Three types of recommendations were provided to the Committee: more community mental health services, more cooperation between policy officials and mental health agencies, and more extensive insurance coverage. To read more about the survey and the hearing, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/08/politics/08mental.html?ex=1090287757&ei=1&en=907fecf62b506d11 (registration may be required for viewing) |