Data from the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital finds that previously incarcerated young people are almost 6 times more likely to experience early mortality than the general population.
The study analyzed mortality rates and causes of death for more than three thousand 11-to-21-year-olds incarcerated in Ohio's juvenile legal system from 2010 to 2017. Researchers found that 113 died during the study period with homicide being the leading cause. The study noted a heightened risk of mortality for formerly incarcerated Black youth and young women.
While some restorative justice programs have been effective, the report calls for more support for individuals during the reentry process by assessing their needs, connecting them to appropriate resources, and establishing a target for intervention. Researchers believe the study suggests strategies that incorporate a culturally-informed approach and take both sex and developmental level into consideration will help reduce early mortality rates in this high-risk population.
The study appears in JAMA Network Open.
