NCJ Number
170878
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-February 1998) Pages: 10-11
Date Published
1998
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article discusses facility design issues that can facilitate the safe and secure management of hardcore juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Juvenile facilities are using innovative design similar to adult facilities in improving the security of intake areas. Intake is the most critical area in a corrections facility, because when violent juveniles are booked, they are usually angry, drunk, high, or under extreme stress. The booking desk should be designed to offer a clear view and line-of-sight supervision to those areas that connect holding areas. An officer will be safer and better prepared when everyone in custody can be seen at all times. In many newer facilities, computer technology increases efficiency and reduces both costs and the arresting officer's booking time. At the Fayette County Juvenile Detention Center in Kentucky, the detention director is creating a nontraditional system that deals with violent juvenile offenders based on offense severity. An objective jail classification system permits the segregation of the population based on risk levels. This requires building a sufficient number of separate areas to accommodate all classification levels. Another design feature in today's facilities brings all services into the living units, so as to reduce the space and time for moving inmates from one area to another. This results in greater control of the inmates. An increasing number of violent juvenile offenders is requiring some facilities to change from minimum-security design to maximum-security design. New Jersey's Training School for Boys was upgraded from minimum security to maximum security by introducing such features as line of sight on all units, division of populations, and secure administrative posts. High-tolerance building materials are being used to provide institutional security and integrity, such as stainless steel fixtures and beds and doors with unbreakable window glass. Although these approaches ensure safety, the physical plant also must reflect the normative environment.