NCJ Number
126947
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 52 Issue: 6 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 100,102,105-106
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Marion County's Juvenile Court in Indianapolis, faced with limited resources and a rising caseload of young offenders whose crimes range from shoplifting to murder, has opened a state-of-the-art detention center.
Abstract
The county's alternative programs range from a runaway shelter and a wilderness camp to electronic surveillance and community cleanup programs. These programs give juveniles positive options designed to foster responsibility and help them become contributing members of society. The $16.6 million center opened in March 1989 and features bright colors and carpeted interiors. The center is designed to allow staff to work with children on a one-to-one basis and can hold 144 offenders for the typical stay of 11 to 23 days. The light-filled facility reflects the county's belief that environment affects behavior. Youth are granted privileges for positive behavior, including access to a special quiet room and outside recreation, more television, later bedtimes, more activities, and more family visits. A separate building is used to separate runaways from more serious offenders. Police bring runaways directly to the shelter where they are required to attend daily self-esteem workshops and work with county probation officers and other case management staff. Marion County also has a secure residential treatment facility to help minor offenders from becoming involved in more serious crime. This facility holds up to 30 youths who receive individual counseling, group treatment, and continuing education for up to 30 days before they return home.