Psychological consultation on program design of intensive management units in juvenile correctional facilities

Incarcerated juveniles with disruptive or violent behaviors present significant management problems for juvenile correctional facilities. Although some facilities address disruptive and violent behaviors of juveniles with specialized treatment or management programs, many of these juveniles are relegated to disciplinary units that rely on seclusion and restraint procedures. In response to both increasing numbers of mentally ill youths in corrections and concerns with seclusion and restraint procedures, some facilities are seeking consultation to assist in restructuring their disciplinary and intensive management units. The process and initial outcomes of a psychological and behavioral consultation with the intensive management unit of a juvenile correctional facility are presented.