NCJ Number
188716
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 63 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 86-90,92
Date Published
April 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes how Colorado's Division of Youth Corrections (DYC) has restructured its youth facilities and programs for the benefit of the majority of the adolescents in its charge: nonviolent teens who average 16 years old and need structure, education, training, and support to succeed.
Abstract
The DYC succeeded in convincing the State legislature that investing in vocational training, education, and support counseling, as well as a new structure for thousands of Colorado's juvenile offenders would result in overall cost saving. From a series of forums, a master plan emerged that focused on juvenile rehabilitation, including a commitment to seek funding for the building of facilities to support the programming. Key features of the planned program-focused facilities are that the environment not be institutional, the security system not be obtrusive, the use of more "daylighting," adequate programming space, limited space for last-resort practices, a focus on academic or vocational training, reflection of the special needs of distinct groups, and regionally decentralized and community-based. Overall, each facility is to be conducive to clinical treatment rather than to punitive incarceration. Replacing its juvenile facilities has not only helped Colorado implement more effective rehabilitative programming for youthful offenders, but has also helped the State avoid much of the extreme inmate crowding experienced across the Nation. Illustrative photographs are provided.