Piloting an Evidence-Based Assessment Protocol for Incarcerated Adolescents

Although evidence-based assessment is considered an essential component of evidence-based practice, few adolescents have access to evidence-based assessment. Despite experiencing high rates of mental health disorders, incarcerated justice-involved adolescents are rarely able to access evidence-based psychiatric care. In this article, we discuss the components of an evidence-based assessment protocol designed and piloted with incarcerated adolescents involved in Rhode Island's juvenile justice system. In particular, we describe the components of our evidence-based protocol, ways in which evidence-based assessment may need to be modified when working with this population, and discuss policy and clinical implications relevant to increasing access to evidence-based assessment among incarcerated adolescents.