Training Officers in Juvenile Detention (From Issues in Juvenile Delinquency, P 21-27, 1986, Linda Dziobek, et al, eds. - See NCJ-100524)

• NCJ Number: 100527
• Author(s): M Brown
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Training of juvenile detention personnel must focus on the myriad roles they fill, including that of security officer, counselor, disciplinarian, recorder of behavior, and activity coordinator.

Abstract

Training programs must clarify the objectives and philosophy of juvenile detention, aid staff in better understanding normal and abnormal child and adolescent behavior, place the work in the context of the juvenile justice and services system, and develop specific skills for working with juveniles. In addition to supervised, on-the-job training for new workers, regularly scheduled staff training meetings can provide information, feedback, and practice in performing routine duties and handling special problems. Scheduling problems can be overcome by scheduling meetings during shift changes. Another approach to ongoing staff training is the use of programmed instructional materials. This approach allows staff to learn at home in their spare time and at their own pace. Whatever the training method, it should be tailored to the situation and make the training rewarding to instructors and staff.