Research Overview on Positive Youth Development

Studies consistently confirm that incarcerating young people causes great harm, including increased victimization, recidivism, school drop-out, and long-term physical and mental health issues. Fortunately, research also identifies what young people need for positive, healthy development. Alternatives to incarceration, such as release schedules, should be crafted to ensure each young person has time for and access to activities, environments, and people that will help them grow to become thriving adults. This one-pager highlights studies that identify what young people need for healthy development.