NCJ Number
174556
Journal
Corrections Technology & Management Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: April 1998 Pages: 50-53
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The 100-inmate Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center (New Mexico) uses direct supervision in the context of its programming to maintain order in its facility, such that no personnel function as "guards."
Abstract
The cages and other barriers in the facility have been removed. Red lines painted on the floor indicate areas where permission must be granted to enter. All Center personnel are directly involved in facility programs, such as education, mental health services, and recreation. Experience has shown that the more a facility's operation is based in inmate programming, the fewer are the incidents of inmate misconduct. The Center no longer recruits guards, and the term is not used in the job description. Program duties and responsibilities are specified in job descriptions. Prerequisites for positions are 2-year Associates' degrees in law enforcement, criminology, psychology or a related field, and knowledge of the doctrine of corrections. Candidates must also be able to learn and apply the State juvenile code and other relevant laws; they must be able to express themselves clearly in verbal and written English. In keeping with their job descriptions, the staff is known as Youth Program Supervisors. Level I Youth Program Supervisors are line staffers, and Level II staffers are lead child care staff. Eighty percent of training is oriented toward containing and de- escalating crises. Staffers are unarmed and do not even carry batons or OC aerosol cans. According to the Center's director, the reduction in violent incidents has enhanced safety for both staff and inmates. The promotion of interaction between staff and residents has enabled the staff to promote education and other rehabilitation projects for inmates.