Perceptions of Evidence-Based Practice among Juvenile Justice Workers from a Detention Facility Located in the Rural Deep South

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine how often evidence-based practices (EBPs) were used in a detention facility in the rural Deep South and to examine barriers that might interfere with their implementation.

Methods

Mixed methods were used including an anonymous online survey and three in-depth interviews with juvenile justice workers.

Results

Findings showed inconsistencies among workers regarding their reported use of EBPs, specifically regarding mental health, substance abuse treatment and parental involvement. Qualitative findings using thematic analysis indicated that the major barriers were limited resources and lack of family engagement.

Discussion

The varied responses regarding the types and frequency of EBPs were surprising given that only one facility was examined. Qualitative findings demonstrated some inconsistencies with prior research regarding the challenging nature of implementing EBPs.

Conclusion

This study highlighted a gap between evidence-informed research and practice in a rural justice system in the Deep South.

KEYWORDS:

• Juvenile justice
• juvenile detention
• evidence-based practices
• juvenile justice workers
• treatment barriers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.