Justice for Young Offenders

This ground-breaking analysis of complex issues of youth justice challenges the assumptions behind Canada’s approach to youth justice and mental health disorders.

Canada has a long history of using the criminal justice system to address social problems of youth in society. Yet, according to clinical psychologist Mary Vandergoot, this approach has ignored that many so-called juvenile delinquents may have developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or have been victims of violence or neglect. Set against the backdrop of the Canadian Youth Criminal Justice Act, this is an interdisciplinary approach with clinical examples and sample evaluations, examining options for dealing with troubled youth, social and emotional issues, and the role of the various actors in youth justice, including the psychologist.