Join host LKJ for an eye-opening conversation with Rona McLoughlin, a fully qualified cognitive behavioral therapist who has spent over 15 years working with young people in secure settings across Scotland. This powerful episode explores the complex world of adolescents aged 12-18 who have entered the secure system through both welfare concerns and criminal justice pathways, revealing the underlying trauma and neglect that often leads children down destructive paths. Rona breaks down the stark reality of how these young people end up in secure units, explaining that the facilities are more like residential homes than prisons, with personalized bedrooms, education departments, and recreational facilities – but with the crucial difference that doors remain locked for safety. The discussion delves deep into the root causes of youth criminality and behavioral issues, examining how children experiencing neglect, abuse, and family dysfunction often display ‘attention needing’ rather than ‘attention seeking’ behaviors as they struggle to find their place in society.