Question

A 15-year-old is court-ordered to meet with a social worker for an evaluation following a car accident in which the client was driving while intoxicated; 2 other motorists were injured. The youth has a history of fighting in school and running away. After completing the assessment, the social worker should recommend placement in a locked residential facility ONLY if:

A. The client poses a safety risk to the community.
B. The client's probability for rehabilitation is very low given his history of offenses.
C. The experience will help prompt the client to change his behavior.
D. His parents are unwilling to have him return home.

Answer 1

The social worker should recommend placing a youth in a locked facility only if they are a safety risk to the community. It's crucial to prioritize rehabilitation, which has been shown to reduce recidivism more effectively than punitive measures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The social worker should recommend placement in a locked residential facility only if the client poses a safety risk to the community (A). This recommendation should come after careful consideration of the youth's behavior, the severity of the offense, potential for rehabilitation, the support system at home, and other relevant factors. It is essential to utilize rehabilitation measures that prioritize the youth's reintegration into society and minimize the risk of recidivism.

For instance, juvenile incarceration is often ineffective and increases future crime, thus highlighting the importance of exploring alternatives. Successful interventions may include rehabilitation programs, such as drug courts, which have been shown to reduce recidivism, particularly in adults. These programs incorporate therapy, counseling, educational and vocational training to enable a transformative change for the individual. Also crucial is the support structure post-release, so the young individual can integrate successfully back into society and reduce the exposure to factors that contribute to delinquency.