Juvenile Justice Success Stories in Alaska
Jimmy (name changed to protect privacy) was detained in McLaughlin’s “D1” Detention Unit in February 2007 for assault, and repeated threats of death and injury. He was diagnosed as suffering from a debilitating severe mental illness, Schizoaffective Disorder. If he didn’t take his prescribed medication, he experienced psychotic episodes and threatened to kill himself and others. McLaughlin staff determined how to meet his mental health needs while still working to hold him accountable for his delinquent behavior, eventually building a positive relationship with him.
Because of this relationship, Jimmy informed staff that another resident had fashioned a weapon from his comb and had it hidden in his slipper and was intending to use this weapon against staff. Jimmy then went over to the resident and showed staff where it was hidden in the resident’s slipper. In the past this resident had been very difficult to manage on other detention units. Some of D1’s success can be attributed to the fact that D1 staff have been able to encourage Jimmy to take his medication. Jimmy’s bond with staff encourages him to listen to them and care about them; therefore, he is willing to listen to them when he’s told that he needs to take his medication.