Topic: Antisocial Behavior, Social Competency
Target Population: Adolescents
Sector: Medical Setting
This program is for adolescent male offenders who are aggressive and violent.
Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center (MJTC), a correctional institution located on the property of the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, Wisconsin, is designed to rehabilitate youth and reduce recidivism by focusing on helping participants understand interpersonal processes, acquire social skills, and improve normative social connections.
Two evaluations of MJTC using a quasi-experimental design found that, compared to youth who received a majority of their mental health treatment outside of the MJTC facility, those who received a majority of treatment at the MJTC facility had fewer charges filed against them on average, were less likely to be charged with serious and violent offenses, and were in the community longer before committing an offense over a follow-up period of at least 2 years. Two evaluations using a one-group pre/post-test design found improvements from admission to release in behavioral compliance and antisocial characteristics. Additionally, length of treatment was found to positively predict behavioral compliance and security sanctions amassed during treatment.
MJTC delivers comprehensive mental health services to youth whose highly disruptive behavior and failure to respond to standard treatment has warranted their transfer to the facility. The program attempts to improve a participant's hostility toward authority figures and strengthen his connections to normative social behaviors, beliefs, and relationships. Treatment focuses on the following components:
A behavioral point system, called the Today-Tomorrow Program, rewards youth for positive behavior and is incorporated into the treatment as an incentive to comply with and participate in the treatment. Youth receive academic support; group therapy for anger management; and treatment related to issues, such as substance abuse or sexual offense. Youth also have individual therapy sessions with either a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a social worker. Psychopharmacological treatment is available and overseen by a staff psychiatrist.
The treatment facility was founded in 1995 and has been implemented by The Southern Oaks Girl School, the Wisconsin Resource Center, the Sand Ridge Treatment Center, and the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center in Oregon. From 1995 to 2010, approximately 800 youth and 100 adults have received this treatment program.
Services at MJTC are facilitated by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and a psychiatric nurse. Separate, 1- to 2-day trainings are available for administrative, supervisory, and front-line staff. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include obtaining support from state-level juvenile justice administrators, hiring qualified mental health staff, understanding training and program costs could be expensive and may require funding, and locating high-security space to house and treat participants.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing MJTC, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Time to implement various program components varies. The evaluation studies conducted on the program reported that the average length of treatment was 21 to 51 weeks.
Information on implementation costs was not publicly available. Please use details in Contact section to learn more.
To move MJTC to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse's Continuum of Evidence, at least one well designed experimental or quasi-experimental study should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact the Mendota Mental Health Institute by mail 301 Troy Drive, Madison, WI 53704, phone 1-608-301-1000, fax 1-608-301-1358, or visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/mmhi/contacts.htm
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/mmhi/mjtc.htm; Caldwell and Van Rybroek (2005); Caldwell, McCormick, Umstead, and Van Rybroek (2007); and Caldwell, McCormick, Wolfe, and Umstead (2012).
Caldwell, M. F., McCormick, D. J., Umstead, D., & Van Rybroek, G. J. (2007). Evidence of treatment progress and therapeutic outcomes among adolescents with psychopathic features. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34(5), 573-587. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854806297511
Caldwell, M. F., McCormick, D., Wolfe, J., & Umstead, D. (2012). Treatment-related changes in psychopathy features and behavior in adolescent offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 39(2), 144-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854811429542
Caldwell, M., Skeem, J., Salekin, R., & Van Rybroek, G. (2006). Treatment response of adolescent offenders with psychopathy features: A 2-year follow-up. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 33(5), 571-596. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854806288176
Caldwell, M. F., & Van Rybroek, G. J. (2005). Reducing violence in serious juvenile offenders using intensive treatment. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 28(6), 622-636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2004.07.001
