Youth runaways from correctional institutions - reasons and possible consequences

Youth runaways from institutions are a frequent subject of many public expert debates, although very rarely some potential strategies for the prevention of this problem are proposed. Recognising this problem, Centre for... [ view full abstract ]

Youth runaways from institutions are a frequent subject of many public expert debates, although very rarely some potential strategies for the prevention of this problem are proposed. Recognising this problem, Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in cooperation with the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, has conducted a research in 2015 focused on getting insight into the youths’ reasons of runaway behaviour from correctional institutions. The research covered all correctional institutions in the Republic of Croatia. In total, 201 participants, boys as well as girls, from 14 to 20 years of age participated in the research. The quantitative research approach was used and following instruments were applied: Resilience and Youth Development Module (WestEd & CDE, 2000); Treatment motivation scale; Questionnaire on frequency and circumstances of runaways from the institution; and finally Questionnaire on reasons for running away (created for the purposes of this research).
Goals of this presentation are gaining insight in frequency of youths’ runaways, reasons of runaways and factors that contribute more frequent runaway behaviour pattern.
Results show that 45.8% of young people included in the research ran away from institution at least once. In most cases it was a shorter absence from institution (35.9% of participants), and escape that lasted for two days (14.6% of participants). Long-term escapes (over a month) are present at 13.3% of participants. Considering last runaway, 67.8% of them just left the institution without informing caregivers, 24.4% of them stayed out longer then permitted and 7.8% of them did not came back from a weekend family visit. Through created Questionnaire on reasons for running away, youth could explain what was the main reason for their last runaway. The most common reasons were poor conditions in institutions and the desire to spend time with their family (which reported 30% of participants). Hedonistic and anti-social tendencies were present to a lesser extent. Regression analysis informs us on factors that contribute more frequent running away pattern. Three factors explain the regression model, and these are: lack of problem solving skills, lack of attachment to the institution, and presence of family belonging and meaningful activities with family members.
This presentation will emphasise the vulnerability of young people during the absence from the institution, and treatment possibilities will be discussed.