NCJ Number
44242
Date Published
1977
Length
104 pages
Annotation
A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF EVALUATIVE CRITERIA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND REALIZATION OF ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAMS FOR JUVENILE DETENTION AND CORRECTIONS FACILITIES IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE STANDARDS ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF FACILITY DESIGN AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, STRESSING THE PRIMACY OF MATTERS RELATING TO AGENCY POLICY AND OPERATIONS, AND THE SECONDARY AND SUPPORTIVE ROLE OF FACILITIES. STANDARDS ARE DESIGNED TO LEAD TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS WHICH ARE ADAPTABLE TO A VARIETY OF PROGRAM AND POLICY CHANGES, THUS ENABLING STAFF TO CREATE THE APPROPRIATE SETTINGS FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT MIGHT BE INSTITUTED DURING THE FACILITY'S LIFE. THE STANDARDS HAVE TWO BASIC COMPONENTS, PROCEDURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL. THE PROCEDURAL COMPONENT COVERS THE ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM; IT IS USED TO ESTABLISH SPACE NEEDS AND IS BASED ON A CLEARLY ARTICULATED AND JUSTIFIED SET OF POLICY GUIDELINES AND OPERATIONAL PROPOSALS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT REFERS SPECIFICALLY TO DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS OF FACILITIES THEMSELVES. THESE STANDARDS SUGGEST GENERAL QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF FACILITIES. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE STANDARDS IS TO DEVELOP AN OPTIMUM ENVIRONMENT FOR THE NORMALIZATION OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH THE USE OF COMMUNITY SETTINGS. NORMALIZATION SEEKS TO ADAPT BUILDINGS TO USERS AND OPERATIONAL PROGRAMS, RATHER THAN USERS AND PROGRAMS TO BUILDINGS. THE STANDARDS RECOMMEND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RANGE OF SMALL, COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES, BECAUSE SUCH FACILITIES ARE ABLE TO ADAPT TO A RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND POLICY REQUIREMENTS TO USE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, TO ARCHITECTURALLY RELATE TO THE BUILDINGS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, AND TO PROVIDE A BROADER RANGE OF OPTIONS TO ENSURE SECURITY. AN INCREASED RELIANCE ON STAFF SUPERVISION RATHER THAN PERMANENT PHYSICAL BARRIERS IS RECOMMENDED. IN RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS CAN THEMSELVES CONSTITUTE A SOURCE OF ABUSE, QUALITATIVE PRESCRIPTIONS ARE MADE FOR SUCH FURNISHINGS AS LOCKS, DOORS, WINDOWS, AND BEDS. THE POLICY OF NORMALIZATION IS A KEY FACTOR IN DETERMINING THE STANDARDS FOR BOTH YOUTH AND STAFF ACCOMMODATIONS (E.G., ONE STANDARD DISCOURAGES ANY PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR STAFF, THUS SEEKING TO ENSURE THAT THE STAFF DOES NOT BECOME INSTITUTIONALIZED, BUT REMAINS A PERPETUAL SOURCE OF NORMAL ATTITUDES AND HABITS). DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR GROUP HOMES. THE RECOMMENDED REDUCTION IN THE USE OF SECURE SETTINGS SHOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED NEED FOR NONSECURE DETENTION FACILITIES; THE GROUP HOME STANDARDS CAN BE APPLIED TO SUCH FACILITIES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED.