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Abstract: 

Young adults involved in the criminal justice system face a host of complex challenges, including high rates of recidivism, substance use, mental health disorders, and structural inequities rooted in systemic racism. Traditional punitive approaches often fail to address this vulnerable population’s developmental and relational needs. Individual treatment programs fail to systematically address the core relational systems that are central to preventing recidivism and incarceration. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) offers a promising, evidence-based solution that centers on strengthening family systems, promoting autonomy, and reducing criminogenic risk factors. This article explores the integration of FFT as a comprehensive intervention strategy tailored to emerging adults in the justice system. Emphasizing FFT’s phased clinical model—engagement and motivation, behavior change, and generalization—highlights how the therapy addresses individual behavior and transforms the family unit into a stabilizing force. The discussion includes a review of developmental science, racial disparities, and systemic barriers, positioning FFT as an innovative model for supporting successful reentry and long-term rehabilitation.

Keywords: Functional Family Therapy, young adults, criminal justice system, mental health, recidivism

Affiliations:  1: Family Therapy (FFT) Partners; 2: FFT Partners.