- http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/stories/2012/november/26/girls-health-juvenile-detention.aspx
- http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/11/26/165913879/in-juvenile-detention-girls-find-health-system-geared-to-boys
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
11/26/2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
This story examines the health care provided to one of the most vulnerable and invisible populations in the U.S.: girls in the juvenile detention system. 641,000 girls aged 11-17 enter the system each year, and up to 90 percent of them have experienced physical, sexual and emotional abuse. For many, detention may be the only time they come into contact with the health care system. Yet almost across the board, these girls encounter a juvenile detention health system that was designed with boys in mind and fails to address the unique physical and mental health needs for girls. Psychologist and advocate Leslie Acoca’s research has found that poor physical health seems to increase risk of recidivism. Acoca is on a one-woman crusade to help solve the problem with a health-screening questionnaire specifically for girls that she hopes will identify and help address their health needs, which is already being used in Los Angeles County. I spent several days with her at the detention facility in Albuquerque, NM, which was piloting her Girls Health Screen at the time. The story aired on NPR, and a longer written version ran on the same day on Kaiser Health News.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
There has been fairly little research on the health of girls (and boys as well) in juvenile detention, but I read all of the literature on the issue available, including the few journal articles that have been published. I spent months doing this background reading and research in order to get a firm understanding of a complicated topic. I also had access to all of Acoca’s research data, including the recent work she had done in Albuquerque.
Explain types of human sources used.
I spoke with the major figures in the field: from doctors and nurses in detention facilities, to local and state leaders across the country, to major researches in various universities. I also had the opportunity to interview Catherine Pierce, a senior advisor at the US Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Most importantly, I spent several days getting to know Acoca and the girls, nurses, guards, probation officers, judges and administrators at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention and Youth Services Center in Albuquerque.
Results:
This story has had an exciting real-world impact. Detention systems in Utah, Connecticut, Arizona, Florida and the Navajo Nation all contacted Acoca after the story ran to discuss implementing the Girls Health Screen. In addition, upon hearing the piece, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., contacted Acoca to discuss developing legislation to support medical treatment for detained girls.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
We have not had to run any corrections, nor has anyone questioned the accuracy of the story.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Reporting on juveniles in detention facilities is challenging — not only do you face the regular HIPAA rules, but the rules protecting the privacy of children and prisoners can also be stumbling blocks. Make sure you have the detention facility on board with your reporting in order to get the most access you possibly can while in a facility. That access can take a long time to secure, but don’t give up. It’s well worth the struggle.