| Q.
What is youth detention?
A.
A youth may be in detention due to a police arrest or
a court order. Detention is the temporary custody and
care of youth alleged to be or adjudicated as Juvenile
Delinquents (JDs), or youth alleged or convicted as Juvenile
Offenders (JOs). A judge will order that a youth be detained
if there is a substantial probability that the youth will
not appear in court for his/her next court date, or, if
there is a serious risk that the youth may commit a crime
before the next court date. JOs are in detention if they
are unable to make bail or are ordered held without bail.
Q.
What is a Secure Detention facility?
A.
A secure juvenile detention facility has physically restricting
construction, hardware and procedures. Juvenile facilities
are mandated to maintain a specific staff-to- resident-ratio
and to provide education, case management, recreations
and other services. Alleged JDs over the age of 10 and
JOs, can be housed in Secure Detention.
Q.
What is a Non-Secure Detention (NSD)
facility?
A.
While locks on the doors and other hardware distinguish
Secure Detention, NSD is characterized by the absence
of such restrictions. Residents are staff-supervised
and may leave the NSD group homes to attend community
programs if escorted by staff. Alleged JDs between the
ages of 7 and 15 may be housed in NSD facilities located
throughout the City.
Q.
What is a the difference between
a Juvenile Delinquent (JD) and a Juvenile Offender (JO)?
A.
Juvenile Delinquent or
(JD)
- When a person who is under 16 years-old, but is at least
7 years-old, commits an act which would be a "crime"
if he or she were an adult, and is then found to be in
need of supervision, treatment or confinement, the person
is called a "Juvenile Delinquent". The act committed
is called a "delinquent act". All juvenile delinquency
cases are heard in Family Court.
Juvenile
Offender or (JO)
- Children who are 13, 14 and 15 years-old who commit
more serious or violent acts may be prosecuted as adults.
These cases are heard in Supreme Court, but may sometimes
be transferred to the Family Court. JOs are subject to
more serious penalties than JDs.
Q.
What techniques are used for behavior
management?
A.
In its long-term facilities, DJJ uses behavior
management program, ASPIRE, that aims to encourage residents
to take responsibilitiy for their actions by providing
leadership and support, reinforcing the importance of
education, positive behavior, initiative, and participation
while upholding fairness and equity. More specifically,
ASPIRE is a system that recognizes a youngsters positive
behavior (ie. points for doing homework) and rewards them
with privileges that corresponds to their level. There
are three levels, (level I, II, and III) and incrementally
as one moves up in level, privileges increase. For instance,
level III residents are entitled to special visits, more
commissary items and computer access. All residents start
in the program on level II so upon entry just as positive
behavior can bring them up, negative behavior can reduce
their level as there are always consequences to one's
actions. A list of infractions with the points deductable
for each as well as a list of the positive behaviors with
their point value attached, will be prominently displayed
in all areas of the facility, including the school floor,
cafeteria, and each living area. This behavior management
program is an improvement fromt the old system in that
it actively encourages and rewards good behavior whereas
the old system passively allowed residents to move up
a level if they did not engage in behavioral infractions
over a period of time. A database has also been created
for this program, connected to REAL-TIME GOALS, which
allows staff at a glance to determine the level of a resident
in efforts to more efficiently supervise the residents
in the care and custody of DJJ.
Q.
How does case management serve youth
in detention?
A.
The Case Managers are the coodinators of services for
the youth in detention, both in secure and non-secure.
Youth are given medical and mental health screenings upon
admission, and when special needs are presented, the Case
Mangers are the key staff to coordinate service to ensure
that those needs are met.
In addition, the Case Managers maintain contact with
families, arrange special visits, and ensure that the
youth stay in telephone contact with their families.
Q.
What types of medical services do
the youth receive in detention?
A.
Residents in detention, whether secure or non-secure,
receive a full array of medical services from DJJ's 24-hour
a day health services unit. Upon entering the custody
of DJJ, youth are given an immediate assessment to determine
pressing medical conditions and needs, such as diabetes,
asthma, and any medication a youth requires. Within 72
hours of admission, a comprehensive medical exam and history of each youth
is completed, in order to insure updates on immunizations
and attention to all medical needs. In addition, an on-site
dentist provides dental services to residents. Each resident
receives a mental health screening, which is completed
upon admission. If needed, the resident is referred to
a mental health Clinician or psychiatrist.
Emergency health services and specialty clinics are provided through local area hospitals.
Q.
What type of educational services
do youth receive at DJJ?
A.
Like other City young people, detained youth attend school
for 5 ½ hours per school day through the New York City
Department of Education Passages Academy. The program can be adjusted to accommodate
youth who require special education, youth who require
more challenging academics as well as those who are performing
below grade level. Youth receive report cards and grades
for their work and parents are invited to parent conferences
in our schools. A special emphasis is placed on attendance,
school performance, appropriate behavior in school, and
gaining a appreciation for advancing.
Q.
Are juveniles allowed to receive
visitors?
A.
Yes. Visiting is encouraged and occurs four times a week.
Visitors must be pre-approved in order to be admitted
into the facility. In general, parents, legal guardians,
siblings over 18 and grandparents are permitted to visit.
Aunts and uncles may visit once a month. No visitors under
the age of 18 will be admitted unless special authorization
is arranged with the resident's case manager prior to
arrival at the facility. Case managers are available to
meet with parents during visiting hours.
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