Objective: To determine the diagnostic breakdown and comorbid patterns of 100 consecutive cases referred for psychiatric consultation at juvenile detention centres, and to compare diagnoses according to gender and legal status.
Method: Diagnoses were made at the time of an initial semi-structured clinical interview, and reviewed after follow-up.
Results: There was an appreciable minority of young offenders with non-behaviour disordered diagnoses as well as a large number with conduct disorder and substance abuse. Conduct disorder and affective disorder were most influential on adjustment in the community.
Conclusion: Psychiatric initiatives are essential in the management of serious young offenders.