Construction, Operations, and Staff Training for Juvenile Confinement Facilities

Abstract

This Bulletin is part of OJJDP's Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grants (JAIBG) Best Practices Series. The basic premise underlying the JAIBG program, initially funded in fiscal year 1998, is that young people who violate the law need to be held accountable for their offenses if society is to improve the quality of life in the Nation's communities. Holding a juvenile offender "accountable" in the juvenile justice system means that once the juvenile is determined to have committed law-violating behavior, by admission or adjudication, he or she is held responsible for the act through consequences or sanctions, imposed pursuant to law, that are proportionate to the offense. Consequences or sanctions that are applied swiftly, surely, and consistently, and are graduated to provide appropriate and effective responses to varying levels of offense seriousness and offender chronicity, work best in preventing, controlling, and reducing further law violations. In an effort to help States and units of local government develop programs in the 12 purpose areas established for JAIBG funding, Bulletins in this series are designed to present the most up-to-date knowledge to juvenile justice policymakers, researchers, and practitioners about programs and approaches that From the Administrator "If you build it, they will come" appears to ring true when it comes to the construction of new or expanded juvenile detention facilities. Before embarking on such a costly course of action, however, a community should carefully assess its facility needs and ensure that it is effectively using alternatives to secure confinement when appropriate.

Perceived Needs and Interests of Juveniles Held in Preventive Detention

“…According to Roush (1996), every detention activity should promote attainment of at least six of the following goals: providing a release of emotional tension; providing a constructive outlet for physical energy; teaching fundamentals of recreational activities; giving the youth self-confidence in wholesome pursuits; teaching fair play, rule following, and teamwork; providing a socially-acceptable outlet for hostility; giving the youth a better understanding of himself or herself; developing new interests and skills to be followed upon release; keeping the youth busy by providing a structure for his or her day; developing good health habits and physique; breaking down resistance to adults and adult standards; and permitting observation of the youth's behavior, which aids in social diagnosis. According to Roush and McMillen (1999), detention activities should be enjoyable, physically and mentally challenging, purposeful, educational, and helpful. In addition, programs should provide outlets for youthful energy, emphasize the positive, and focus on youths' strengths (Roush & McMillen, 1999).…”

“…According to Roush and McMillen (1999), detention activities should be enjoyable, physically and mentally challenging, purposeful, educational, and helpful. In addition, programs should provide outlets for youthful energy, emphasize the positive, and focus on youths' strengths (Roush & McMillen, 1999). Roush (1996) identifies several areas of possible detention programming.…”

“…Reading materials should be available to residents in all areas of the facility, and reading should be incorporated into special programs. Roush and McMillen (1999) promote anger management programs, social skills training, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, and cognitive programs that attempt to restructure juveniles' thinking. Roush (1993) identifies several barriers to effective detention programming.…”

“…While the effectiveness of detention programming remains unproved, Roush and McMillen (1999) suggest that one strategy for increasing the likelihood of success is to assess juveniles' needs and match programs to these needs. Some juvenile justice systems use assessment instruments to identify youths who are appropriate for detention, but a literature search did not reveal any attempts to assess juveniles' needs in order to tailor detention programs and activities to these needs.…”