NCJ Number
54632
Date Published
Unknown
Length
94 pages
Annotation
STANDARDS FOR SECURE DETENTION HOMES FOR JUVENILES FINANCED BY OR AFFILIATED WITH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS' DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES ARE EXAMINED. UNDERLYING CONCEPTS FOR SECURE DETENTION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
SECURE DETENTION IS INTENDED FOR ALLEGED JUVENILE DELINQUENTS WHO POSE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR TO THE COMMUNITY OR WHO ARE BELIEVED TO BE UNLIKELY TO APPEAR IN COURT. IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO DETAIN CHILDREN WHO COULD BE SERVED BY LESS SECURE SUPERVISION OR DELINQUENTS AFTER DISPOSITION. FOUR GOALS OF SECURE DETENTION ARE TO SECURE CUSTODY THAT MINIMIZES DAMAGING EFFECTS OF CONFINEMENT AND PHYSICAL CARE THAT FOSTERS GROWTH; DEVELOP A CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL AND STAFF-GUIDED GROUP ACTIVITIES; PROVIDE GUIDANCE THROUGH CASE WORK AND GROUP WORK TO HANDLE PROBLEMS WITHIN INSTITUTIONS AND HELP INDIVIDUALS USE THE DETENTION EXPERIENCE TO UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES BETTER; AND OBSERVE AND STUDY INDIVIDUALS TO PROVIDE SCREENING FOR UNDETECTED MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL ILL HEALTH. SECURE DETENTION FOR JUVENILES SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUNISHMENT, AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CASE WORK SERVICES, FOR ROUTINE OVERNIGHT CARE, AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR A LEARNING CENTER, AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR RESIDENTIAL CLINICAL STUDY AND TREATMENT CENTERS, OR AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR POSTDISPOSITIONAL SERVICES. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR SECURE DETENTION HOMES ARE SPECIFIED IN RELATION TO CERTIFICATION, ADMINISTRATION (STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, BUDGET AND FINANCE, AND PERSONNEL), OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES (ADMISSION PREREQUISITES, INTAKE, CLIENT RECORDS, DISCIPLINE, RELEASE, EMERGENCIES, AND INSURANCE), PROGRAM SERVICES (SUPERVISION AND CARE OF CHILDREN, VISITATION AND COMMUNICATION, RELIGION, EDUCATION, RECREATION, HOUSEKEEPING, AND VOLUNTEERS), PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES, AND LEGAL SERVICES), SUPPORT SERVICES (HEALTH AND SANITATION, FOOD SERVICE, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSEKEEPING), STAFF REQUIREMENTS, AND THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES. CHARTS ILLUSTRATE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON PREDISPOSITIONAL PLACEMENTS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SECURE DETENTION HOMES IS APPENDED. (DEP)