PDF - http://www.djj.nsw.gov.au/pdf_htm/publications/research/YoungPeopleCommOrders.pdf
Dianna Kenny
"A survey of young offenders in New South Wales has found 40 per cent suffer symptoms consistent with a mental disorder. The two most prevalent disorders are substance abuse disorder and conduct disorder. Professor Kenny says the findings are not that surprising given many of them came from abusive backgrounds and from families where one or more parent had been to jail. "All of these factors can lead to reactive behaviours that might look like a mental illness," she said. "But if these young people were put into an environment that's safe, secure and they get a certain amount of empathic support and respect, a lot of the symptoms will resolve themselves."
