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Researchers propose a new strategy for treating juvenile delinquents

By Staff Writer

Researchers from the University of Missouri said they believe that the current treatment methods that are used for juvenile offenders are costly to taxpayers and ineffective for preventing future crime. Therefore, they have proposed a new system called multisystematic therapy (MST), which involves relatives of the delinquent youth, as well as other members of the community.

The approach aims to address the environmental factors that cause young individuals to act out, such as family conflict or social problems at school. The study's lead author noted that Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Colorado have all implemented the MST system in place of their previous treatments for juvenile offenders.

While the investigators' findings showed that introducing MST may be expensive in the beginning, the overall cost savings can accumulate to nearly $200,000 per criminal over the course of 14 years. The reductions are due to fewer subsequent arrests, which lessens the financial burdens of employing law enforcement personnel and incarceration costs.

Children who have difficulty obeying authority or controlling their behavior may benefit from preventive measures, such as boarding schools for troubled youth. These programs may reduce their risk of becoming involved in criminal activities and address any underlying psychological problems.

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