I thought it was very interesting to see what goes on in the detention center. Going into cpod was neat because we got to see a group doing a good job. One kid came and introduced himself to us which was pretty cool to see. Seeing the camera room was also neat because we got to see every camera in the whole place and what goes on in the building. Seeing the people in the different color shirts was interesting to see because we got to know what level they were. Orange shirt was level 3, grey was level 2 and blue shirt was level one. Also we learned what they have to do in intake. Tim said the kids in there were the ages from 10 - 17 years old and they were in there for like murder and domestic battery and residential burglary. I did not expect anyone to be in timeout but I was totally wrong. Overall the Detention center and a good experience for me because we got to see what the kids did and how they acted. They would get coupons if they did good things and if they did very well they would move up a level and if they leveled up they would get special privileges and be able to play PlayStation and cards and have a later bed time than the other levels. Golfer001
we agree on the different aspects of your thoughts and comments. the fact that Bryan (the juvenile who shook everyone's hand) was showing that much respect towards us as strangers really speaks to how the workers there help the children be functioning members of society once they leave the detention center. the level system was also great because it taught the kids to be well behaved and respectful to each other along with the workers to rank up in the privileges they receive. RRM001 bike001
We also thought that it was interesting to go into Cpod and see what was going on. The focus group going on was very cool to watch. It was weird to see the stark differences between some of the kids. Some were cussing out the counselors causing them to take their 5 minute on the wall, while on went up to us a shook hands and introduced himself to all of us. It showed us how different some of the kids are from each other, and how some of them don't even seem like the belong in there. JAG002 GH_Blackhawks002
We completely agree with your statements. We thought that it was interesting to see the discipline system, which was constructive and detailed. -MyBoys004 -Happy004
I agree with you. They want to teach these kids to be more advanced for their ages. Especially the 17 year old who was very sweet and greeted himself to us was very impressive. They want to teach these kids that being a delinquent isn't the way to go in life. GoodVibes003
The juvenile detention center was not what we expected. The staff and children had a more one on one relationship than we thought they would have. This detention center was more punitive and it resembled more of a rehab center. The facility allowed for visitors and phone calls seven days a week when state law only requires two. This goes to show that the staff feels that family ties are important and allows for the kids to grow. When it comes discipline there are no lethal restraints and their most common act of discipline is timeout and the 30/5 rule; 30 minutes in their rooms to think about what they did wrong and 5 minutes facing the wall. They also offer coupon system in which the children earn coupons for everything they get. Playing playstation and having a later bedtime is something the kids strive to have. They also have groups to maintain social skills and come together to learn healthy and unhealthy behaviors. The kids also are required to go to school 5 days a week and they must attend every subject. The classrooms are taught by current Limestone teachers which allows for better teaching. The staff is very hands on and you can tell that they all have a one on one relationship with each resident. They are respectful and kind even when the kid is rude in return. When a kid acts out they just tell them to go to the wall instead of focusing on them for a long period of time. The staff also wears every clothing, no uniforms, and this is a way to make the kids feel less intimidated. The kids are separated into different age groups which keeps the little kids from learning bad behaviors from the older kids. The staff is also all specialized in mental health and the facility hires people of all ethnicities, majors, and gender. A big thing that we noticed was there was no 24 hour solitary confinement. The kids were sent to their rooms up to 18 hours at a time for higher offenses. The staff makes the kids work to get to certain levels, orange being the best, and they make it to where it's harder to maintain. This is a way to make them act better for a longer period of time. The older kids also act as mentors for the little ones. For example, during their group session a young man came and shook all of the visitors hands, teaching the younger kids respect. The residents also had flashcards where they wrote down their goals and hung them outside their door for motivation. The kids and staff also painted pictures around the walls for another way to learn social skills. All in all, it was a good experience. We think that it was most important that the staff kept a great relationship with the residents, building trust and letting them know that someone cares. The staff knew everyone by name and they had patience. They understood that everyone has their own story. behappy001 dicaprio001
We agree that it was interesting that the staff and the kids had more one on one relationship that we expected. This could help the kids because these kids may not have always had this when they were at home and this could potentially help them when they get out of the detention center. GRUNT001 hawkshockey001
We agree, it was LESS punitive and more rehabilitative. The best way to do so would be to have more of the one-on-one relationship that most of the workers had with the delinquent. Each worker knew the kid's name and some had more positive rapport with the delinquents. The clothing helps with that; not being in a uniform and being in civilian clothing makes the environment more rehabilitative. Rapport is very important when dealing with delinquents because those workers become temporary buffers. agentp001 and golfer001
The place had a really good close interaction with the kids and the staff, they were really rehabilitative because compared to the county jail it seemed more like a rehab center than a prison. They even gave the kids rewards if they behaved well so they were acting better. The discipline was unique compared to adult prisons. They helped the kids reach their goals, and that focus group helped the kids because it helped them dream about college. The kids seemed mature, one kid kept shaking everyone's hand introducing himself to everyone. The focus group helps them have dreams and helps them be stable. I thought that the casual dress was great too because, it did help the kids feel like it was a positive environment unlike prisons where there is always a prison officer dressed up in a cop outfit with a gun on them. AJC002
We agree. The tour was so interesting. We did not expect the facility to be so open and relaxed. We thought it would be more like a regular jail where it feels cold and hard. The staff do a great job of connecting with the kids and trying to rehabilitate them rather than punishing them. It was interesting how the staff did not wear any uniforms that showed their authority. We liked this idea, as it creates a more comfortable relationship between the staff and the kids. Uniforms can create a sense of higher authority and the kids might feel as if they cannot come to the staff with problems or concerns. We are really glad we got to experience this tour. Steve002 and stoblues002
We don't see this type of relationship with most facilities because they are in it for the money. It's not the case for this Juvenille detention center because the Juvenille officers treat the residents with respect and mentor them while disciplining them at the appropriate situations. These children deserve the same opportunities as the children in public and private schools because they can achieve and become successful in life when they are released from the facility. It was a good feeling to know that the young man who shook our hands had respect and manners after all that he has been through during his time in the facially. It goes to show that these children don't let the rough times break them down because it only makes them stronger by having mentors get them through it. -RW003
My opinions going into the detention center were different than what I saw. Based on what tv shows and movies portray, they get the worst punishment possible. But for example, this is how they corrected behavior in this facility. From talking back to the staff, they get a 5 minute wall sit. Another interesting thing is they go off a coupon system. When they do something good or respectful they receive paper coupons where they get extra time out of their cell or extra commissary and privileges such as staying up later and playing the PS3. There were also different levels and pods within the detention center. There were three levels based on their attitudes. The staff also allow access to their families five days a week which is different than other facilities and different from the law. The staff seemed to be really nice and thoughtful to the kids in the jail, they seemed to make a real connection with the kids and understood them. Their main focus to teach them was to kill them with kindness, teach them important social skills that they need to learn when they get out. Even though they seemed understaffed, they look and accept anybody with a bachelors degree whether that be in graphic design or criminal justice. The kids also receive an education while they are staying there. Teachers from Limestone come over and teach them book smarts and social skills. They teach them how to be respectful while in the classroom to others and to the teachers. Another thing we had learned was how they receive medication from the county jail next door and the nurse from there comes over and hands it out. That way if they get medication mixed up it doesn't land on the detention center itself. The parole board works with the staff so that once they are released, they make sure they become productive members of society and they don't return or they go onto jail. The age group was pretty small together, they were at least three to four years in difference. During one of the sit ins we did, they group of kids had discussed together the unhealthy and healthy types of feelings. Such as aggression, depression, sorrow, disappointment. They had to figure out which one belonged under that category. It was definitely a more cognitive place. One thing we had noticed was how the kids wrote their goals on their doors and it was definitely a more individuality towards each one of them. Instead of just having them go along with everyone else, they were allowed to stay at their own pace. rose001 Eagle001
I was also surprised by how rehabilitative the facility was and by the reward systems that they had implemented. I am glad that the juveniles were not given the third degree. By the group discussion they had it seemed like many had the potential to be successful and part of the 80% who do not come back to the facility after committing more delinquent acts. CoolGuy001 7point62001
I agree the system for the good behavior is different than what is ex specked. But from a small place it is understandable for why they do it. I think that the kids that are in there for murder should work harder for there privileges, than a lesser offensiveness kid in there. I also gree on how the staff interacts with the kids in there.adelle002 CAE002
Our tour of the juvenile detention center was an interesting thing to be a part of. It allowed us to see in person what some of the things we have learned about was actually like. Instead of actual punishment, the kids got a five-minute punishment, where they stood and faced the wall. After they had severed their five-minute punishment, they were then asked why they got their time out in the first place. If the lashed out again or refused they time-out they were then sent to their room for thirty minutes where they would then still have to serve the five-minute time until they acknowledged what they had done wrong. Another interesting concept that was interesting was the point and the coupon system they had in place. Nothing in the detention center was free, the kids had to earn everything that they got. Even if the kids wanted ketchup for their food, the kids had to have coupons to be able to purchase that. They received these coupons based off of their good behavior. Another thing the kids had to do that was interesting was the fact that they still had to attend the school inside of the detention center. They were still expected to wake up at seven and get ready for breakfast and then go to the classrooms. Making them go to school made sure that they were still getting and education and mimicked what they would have to do if they were not inside the detention center. Along with having to go to school, they were also expected to participate in group activities. They were expected to express thoughts, anger that they would have, and describe the different paths that they could take to deal with all of this and the best way to do that. Another system that they had that we thought was a good was the scoring out system. After the juvenile would be arrested by the police, the police officer would then have to call the detention center and tell them the charges to see if they were severe enough to bring them in. This is a nice system to have so that the police don’t have to bring every juvenile who commits a crime in to the detention center. The detention center staff also worked to make sure that the kids worked on having good manners and social skills. The supervisor told one of the kids to practice his social skills and he walked around and shook everyone’s hand and introduced himself. GRUNT001 hawkshockey001
We both thought that the tour was very interesting and very informative. There were many things to take away from the tour. Once we arrived, we had to sign waivers in order to go in. The first step was learning about the intake process, learning what the workers do once a new delinquent arrives. They start off by asking the child questions in order to see what kind of state of mind that they are in and see whether they are a danger to other children or themselves. We learned that the state is required to let the children have at least 1 visit per week allowed to them. There are only certain types of people who are allowed to visit; preferable people who could become buffers. They are allowed to make as many out-going calls that they want to, according to their level. Level 1 are allowed 1 phone call per week, Level two is allowed 2 phone calls with an option of purchasing 2 more phone calls, and Level 3 residents are allowed 3 with the option to purchase 4 more additional phone calls. Phone calls are 15 minutes long and there are certain hours per day that they can call. We noticed that in almost every hall they had posters up that talked about the rights that each person has there. It is important for each delinquent to be informed, never being left out of the loop. There were color-coding of the different levels by what color of clothing each kid wears. Level 1 was grey, level 2 was blue, and level 3 was orange. This was a great system, it helps provide kids with the knowledge to know who to associate with, know that they have to work hard and be motivated in order to move up a level. Another thing with the uniform is that the workers are always taking precautions toward the children's safety. For example, the kids have plastic sandals at all times, and when they enter the gym there are cubbies that have slip on shoes without laces. This would be more of a precaution toward delinquents with suicidal or aggressive tendencies. Another great thing that we noticed is that the workers try really hard to teach the children positive social skills. This all goes back to the types of discipline. For example, if a delinquent were to cuss, the worker would say politely "Please go to the corner or wall for your five minutes." If they don't behave it's another five, and then 30, another 30, THEN the 24 hours. The workers don't jump to the harshest disciplinary actions. It was very beneficial to go. agentp001 and golfer001
After the visit to the Juvenile Detention Center, we learned that there were many things that went on inside that we were not aware of. First, we thought the method of using the time out system was very interesting. The system was only used when it was a verbal attack, and in the case of a physical attack they got sent to their rooms for 30 minutes and then serve a timeout after. We thought that it was interesting that they actually listen to the leaders and serve the timeouts, follow the rules set, and how effective the timeouts were to the juveniles. Another interesting part was the focus groups. The kids were allowed to talk to each other and express how they feel. One thing we thought could be effective is to allow the parents to join in on some of the focus group sessions so the parents can work on learning how to handle the juveniles once they are released. The advisors/leaders all served as buffers for the juveniles, and provided a support system for the kids. The advisors made sure to let the kids know that they care for them and truly want them to succeed in life. The inside of the jail was not what we expected it to look like. The rooms were there but outside of the rooms was set up more like a school. They were required to go to “class” four days a week, and were receiving an education while serving their time. Another interesting thing was how if they did not want to go to school, they were required to stay in their room. Another shocking thing was how the advisors taught them how to greet people and be respectful of visitors. That is another way the juveniles are being taught skills for outside the detention center. These skills are going to help them in the future with interviews and basic manners. The most likely would have never learned these skills had it not be for the detention center. That just goes to prove another way the juveniles are being rehabilitated. Coupons are given to the kids for good behavior and following the rules. The coupons could be used for game systems, more free time, food and snacks, and to stay up later. That is another way to show that they can be good if they choose to be and reinforces good behavior. One thing that we feel like is that the kids can be “faking” being good in order to receive these benefits and not be truly getting better. Broncos001 Bamboo001
agreeing with this summary of the visit. it was remarkable how what privileges these kids get while at the detention center. the detention center did remind me and other students like of a rehab center or even a children's hospital, making it a little more livelier than making it look like a prison. these kids would set life goals and even day goals about what they could do to improve there actions. also hearing about them going to school 4 days a week still getting an education while be detained. camvilla002 aaap_cougs002
We thought that it was interesting how the guards keep their cool when the kids act up. They try to help the kids as much as they can so they don't repeat the cycle again as they get older. It was amazing to see how some of the more older kids have more respect and are trying to better themselves and mentor each other as well as the younger kids too. It'll be interesting to see how much it contrasts to the actual jail since the guards don't treat the children as inmates but as regular kids. The guards don't even carry actual weapons in the juvie, only kindness. - AW002 JiminyxC002
When we visited the juvenile detention center I expected to see more security and fewer programs since the detention center would be similar to a jail and not intended for long term confinement. I expected the terms to be very short as I expected the juveniles there to be held for either a short sentence or to await a hearing. I expected the employees to have uniforms and that the facility would be similar to the nearby adult one. When we arrived I was surprised by the lack of external security features such as fencing. I was also surprised by the lack of uniforms and more friendly demeanor of the employees. The mix of electronic surveillance and presence of dayrooms and natural lighting made the facility a cross between a second and third generation adult jail. The juveniles in the facility were given a lot of rehabilitative attention. They were able to create murals on the walls, and given other creative opportunities. The juveniles were also given access to a half court gym as both something to let them burn off stress and energy and to give them a place to play. The employees seemed very compassionate, the one who gave my group a tour talked about he would spend time with individual juveniles and would even come in to shoot baskets in the gym with juveniles who were experiencing rough times on the outside like if a friend or family member passed. There was also a reward system within the facility, juveniles who followed the rules were able to have more privileges, some would be given coupons to spend on comfort items like candy at a commissary. The facility also had staffed classroom so the juveniles could get GED credits or even maintain an opportunity to get a high school diploma. Juveniles were also given access to group counselling. We were able to view one of the group counselling sessions and it seemed to be aimed at building resiliency and positive thinking skills for the juveniles. A surprising thing about the facility was that it offered visiting hours every day, the state only requires two visitation periods a week. Many of the juveniles detained at the facility were there because they had struck or otherwise committed a domestic battery on a responding officer or parent. We were informed that it was mandatory for anyone who had struck an officer or parent to be detained at the facility. Having it be mandatory could have reduced the level of discretion given to the responding officer, and probably could have gone against the will of the parent. CoolGuy001 7point62001
I agree when you said that the coupons and timeout were very beneficial to both the staff and the residents. it allowed for them to have something to work towards and the timeouts were beneficial because they were layered on with consequences. it was important that they also had to do the five minute timeout no matter what. the fact that they had to take part in all group activities and they did a lot of hands on activities as tell. we liked how the kids shook hands too. it proves that they teach respect and they all know how to act it just depends on when they want to do it. the staff was very kind and respectful to the residents and us as well. behappy001 decaprio001
We thought that this trip was very informative. Our first stop was the control room where one person oversees everything that goes on in the detention center. This seems like a very overwhelming job for just one individual. The next stop we made was the intake area. The officers who bring in the juveniles are not allowed to bring their weapons into this area. Although the kids are handcuffed, once they feel the child has calmed down they remove the cuffs. They then go through a lengthy list of questions to assess where the child is at. This helps to determine if a child is suicidal or if they need medical attention. There are posters informing these children of their rights throughout the building so that the kids are adequately informed. These children go to school from 8:00 to 2:30 Monday through Thursday. These children follow the same curriculum as public school. The uniforms that the kids wore were geared towards their protection, such as shoes with no laces. This is because laces could be used as a suicide tool or a weapon against other children or staff. The colored shirts represented what level the kids were on and the amount of privileges they have. The colored shirts also help these children pick their peers while in the center. Children with orange shirts have earned more privileges because they are better behaved so other children look to them as mentors. The young man Ryan learned how to respect others and is a mentor to the other children in this facility. The children have four group sessions a day where they are taught proper social skills, coping mechanisms. The way that the staff members treat these children with so much respect, and because of this the children believe that they are cared about and that they matter. The detention center here is run with rehabilitation in mind. They do not use solitary confinement as a punishment at all. They use time outs for five minutes, thirty minutes if they five fails, and then thirty-five. The longest a child is kept in their room is twenty-four hours. Outside of each child's room, they put the child's goals for the week to remind them and help them reach their goals. If they meet their goals for the week,the children are rewarded with a pizza party or a movie night on Sunday. This gives these children a incentive to behave. EKT001 mommy001
I thought the pizza party was a good idea to help the kids push forward to want to do bigger better i had a good feeling when leaven there to that those kids were being treat pretty dang fear.Was being gave the proper treat to help these kids leave the center and be rehabilitated the COs were all the page of helping these kids it seemed like help them change how they were thinking and to live a better happier life.cowboyw001
It was very interesting to see what went on in a juvenile detention center. It was surprising how calm the counselors remained, even while the kids were cussing them out. Even the kids seemed to know that they needed to take 5, there punishment which was standing against the wall, whenever they decided to cuss at any of the counselors. At the beginning of the tour, our guide told us that they had 3 kids currently in on a murder charge, which was very surprising considering the age of the kids in the facility. Another interesting part was that the currency the kids used in the facility was in the form of coupons. Whenever they did something good or respectable they would be given a coupon that they could use to purchase anything in the facility such as free time or school supplies. As each kid would behave better and better they could be bumped up levels to get more privileges. Each color of shirt that a kid was wearing represented which level they belonged to: blue shirts for level one, green for level two, and orange for level three. Once level two or three was reached they would have video games available to play, which was surprising to see in a detention center. Also, each level would have a bump in the time they had to go to bed, which would be important to them considering how small each of their rooms were. The cells were simply a small concrete room with a mattress pad on a concrete slab. We learned during the tour that the average stay at the facility was around 22 days, but they had currently released a kid who had been with them for over 600 days. We were told during the tour that there was one kid that whenever he was around a guard would hit them, causing him to be kept in restraints whenever he was out of his cell. He was even forced to wear restraints during his free time or if he was in the gym. Another interesting thing we learned was that the facility encouraged visits and phone calls every night, the state doesn’t mandate visits every night but the kids, if they behaved, were still given the option to call home most nights or have their parents or other family members come visit them. JAG002 GH_Blackhawks002
The calm demeanor of the guards truly showed how professional those employees were. We completely agree, no matter what word or name was thrown their way, the guards stayed calm. It really truly helped with the rehabilitation process, making the kids feel more relaxed and not as if they are in a hostile environment.Honestly all Juvenal detention centers would be better at rehabilitating their residents if they took this approach.-OKC002 Ciaccio002
The guards at the Peoria Juvenile Center keep their calmest with the kids in their worst actions. They respect the guards even when they mess up, in example, when a kid gets put in timeout, the guards tell them thank you for being respectful. Our group leader said it’s better to kill the kids with kindness because they’ll show you more respect as they go on. Some kids with behavioral problems, mess up without a doubt. But they try to make good so they don’t get into any more trouble. “Take a 5,” meaning to a 5-minute timeout, usually comes when the kid acts up by either cussing out, making a threat through a wall (not face-to-face), laughing at another kid that’s taking their 5, or if they make a smart-alit response. Personally, this is a good idea to make the juveniles tell the guards why they had to take their timeouts, and if they don’t say why or say it rudely, they have to take another 5. No matter what, the kids have to take their 5-minute timeout, no matter how hard they try to avoid it. At night, the kids enter a quad and join in a group talk to talk about things that will help them in their stay at the detention center. During the activity, they had to express what they thought was either a rational or irrational thought. They had to tell the difference to whether it healthy or not, and had to explain why they thought if it was right to them or not. In example, one kid said that sorrow was a good thing, because that naturally, we can feel sorrow and we learn from it as we go on. There’s 3 different types of levels for the kids’ type of behaviors. Level 3 is the best group behavior model in the levels. They wear orange shirts and although it is earned, they receive extra benefits compared to the other levels. Level 2 has green shirts, they have some freedoms, but not as much as the orange level. They can use earned “coupons” to get extra benefits like playing a video game, or getting candy. Lastly, the level 1 group has the more experience in behavior problems. They are the ones that act out and receive more timeouts then the others. They don’t get extra activities and they have an earlier curfew unlike the other groups. The guards said that the juvie encourages visits per state law, regarding 2 visits a week. However, they do encourage the parents to come every day to see their child.
We agree that the kids should have to express that they understand why they got punished. It helps them grow as an individual and will hopefully deter them from further criminal activity when they are released. We also thought it was funny that one of the benefits for orange shirts was to get to play PS3 but the green shirts only get to play PS2. -DTH004 -CMB93004
We definitely agree that it was nice seeing the guards and workers treating the children with respect and vise versa. We didn't really see any of the kids disrespecting the guards, which goes to show that these disciplinary actions and incentives really are working. The coupons are a great way for the kids to earn privileges and also feel a sense of pride because they know they've behaved appropriately and will get rewarded for it. It was nice to see the older kid that came around and shook everyone's hand. -chillato004, Gators004
We found the tour of JDC was very informational. The first stop of the tour was the control room, it seemed like a very official set up that they had inside the center. It was a very orginized system for anyone coming in and out of the facility. Also the standards they hold to their employees makes for very good work ethics out of the employees in general. The next place we toured was the intake area. This area was a non-threating area for the kids. They sit them down and ask them questions about health and mental health status also allow them to shower before going back to the pods. We were also showed the clock in/ clock out system among the staff. The orginized system made it fast and efficient for staff to make it to their post on time. The emphisis of being on time was stressed which made for an efficient group of employees. As far as medical goes it is a very good system in place that were seen with in a 24 hour time spand and medical attention can not be refused at all. The fact that they provide them the quality of education as if they were on the outside still was great. The classrooms were small and had actual teachers from the district to come in and teach these kids. What stood out was their coupon system. It was a way for the staff and the inmates to hold themselves accountable for their actions and helps with them with identifying problems that they need to work on to earn the things like games, cards, and free time. Also another thing that stood out was the way dicipline was handled. They used a "time out" type of point system where if the the kid is being a butt they are made to stand at the wall for 5 mins and if they continue to show that type of behavior then they go to a 30min/ 5 min time out. Another thing that had alot of emphisis was that these kids are here to be rehabilitated so it is not like a typlical jail where you are left sitting. Trying to rehibilitate them first seems like the logical thing to so first so that it shows these kids that they have more potential than they give themselves credit for that they are also not destined to a life of crime. OKC002 and Ciaccio002
We agree that it was a very informal visit and that we learned quite a bit from it. We thought that the coupon system was good for the smaller kids but for the bigger kids they should get a more realistic deal. One thing along with that was how if they wanted to pay for something they had to use their own coupons. Rocker002 JE002
We agree, the tour was very informative. We also thought that the non hostile environment you spoke of is a very good part of the center, as it helps the rehabilitation process for the kids. We are glad we got to experience this and feel like it will help us in our futures. zmw002 and oasis002
One of the many surprising aspects of the juvenile center was the fact that they use a score in system based on what you did to get into that place. Another thing was that it was very school like. The halls and classrooms were very child friendly and odd for kids that are in there for crimes as serious as murder. We also thought that it was odd for them to only have up to forty something kids when the facility can hold up to sixty. One thing that we both thought was a good part of the trip was that they had little social groups set up to help the children learn different social skills and to help them get rehabilitated back into the real world. We both agree that going to the jail will be a much different experience compared to the juvenile. We both think that the lack of self protection was kind of surprising. The aspect of the business casual uniforms was odd. You would think you would want the kids to see real uniforms to kind of open their eyes to see that this is a real facility and it is real life. The reward system was a more lightening part of the tour. If those kids get used to that system of doing good and getting rewarded then it might not translate to the real world. So we think maybe they should tweek that a bit. The average kid is in there for around twenty days or so which we both think is a little odd unless it is for the kids that really didn't do anything that bad. Now the kid that was in there for 630ish days I wanna know what he did. The goal aspect outside of their rooms was good but instead of kids deciding whether they want to or not they should make every kid set a goal to work twords that goal and get out of there as soon as possible. The way they get visitation every night. I feel as though it is harder for the parent than it is for the child. The aspect that they have to eat prison food instead of kid food was good. That should be a taste of what prison is really like. Some of the kids seemed to have a strong relationship with the people that work there where as in a prison or jail they would not have that same relationship. Rocker002 JE002
I really liked the way the discipline was done at the juvenile facility. It was not too harsh, just a simple five minute stand at the wall timeout. I also liked how there was almost like a mini school at the facility so the juveniles still had some type of access to education and perhaps some form of rehab. The juveniles in this facility are granted certain privileges. These privileges include receiving coupons for good behavior, being able to play video games, and watch movies. I did not really like how some of the privileges included such as being able to watch movies and play video games. I feel like that is basically just like grounding your child but still allowing them to have their normal privileges. I feel that the juveniles in there for more severe crimes, such as murder, should be in a different facility. Maybe even the jail because they would be a big risk to the other kids that are in there for lesser offenses. The staff there wears street clothes and not uniforms which I really liked because this shows the juveniles that the staff is there to help them and to mentor them so they can have a role model to look up to. It is less intimidating for the children in a way to see the staff as 'normal' people and not just people in a typical uniform who only want to punish them. I also really liked the idea of how the staff interacted with the kids, teaching them what is good behavior and what is not good behavior. I felt that this helps to teach the kids that they are not bad kids. They are good kids who maybe just got caught up in the heat of the moment or made a few bad choices. One thing that I did not really like was how small the gym was. There is not hardly any room for the kids to be able play and run around. I think it would be a good idea to let the kids be able to go outside every once and a while. There should also be a bigger common area so that way the risks of fights are reduced. This might not totally eliminate fighting, but it could at least help to reduce it. I like how there was suicide prevention program put in place to help out the juveniles. I'm not sure that I like the idea of 'color coding' the juveniles based on their behavior. Having a doctor on call is another part that I really liked. Parents who have children locked up in the juvenile facility can have a peace of mind knowing their child is still going to receive medical care. CAE002 Addelle002
We thought that the detention center would be a lot harder on the residents. We expected harder punishments, yelling, more like a jail. Instead of being like a jail, the guide explained that it's more like a rehabilitation place. We enjoyed how the rehabilitation classes helped the residents more than just punishing them and making them learn their lesson. It helped them understand what is wrong and how to get help from their mistakes. We enjoyed that instead of calling the kids inmates, they called them residents. The employees had a relationship with most of the residents rather than just being rude and telling them what to do all the time. The guided explained how having a relationship with them will make things easier by them listening more and behaving the way they should instead of acting out. The employees also dressed casual by having a collared shirt and jeans. I think it would help them develop relationships with the residents instead of just looking like you're a guard and could put them in their place at any minute. I couldn't begin to wrap my head around some of the ages of the kids there. There's 12 year old kids sitting in a juvenile detention center instead of enjoying their life as a kid like we did. They can't go outside and hangout with their friends, or go eat dinner with their families. Instead of being a kid, they're being told when to shower, eat, and they're in therapy groups. We enjoyed learning that the residents still were able to go to school and have an education. The guide said how Limestone teachers come into the detention center and teach classes four days a week and throughout the summer. Classes ranged from history, art, and anger management. Walking down the hallways of the facility, there were sayings and pictures on the walls. They had positive sayings for the residents to see, instead of just blank gray walls. Walking down the hallways I felt like I was in a school hallway with the positive sayings and art hanging through out the building. It didn't feel like it would be a detention center, having blank gray walls and seeing the kids with their heads down. It was nice seeing the residents participating in their group instead of not caring and showing off. Along with classes, the tour guide explained how almost every resident has something wrong with them. Instead of making them feel different, they do individual therapy with the residents to help them understand. In conclusion, the detention center had more of a warm feeling instead of a cold hard jail cell. It showed they get help and they don't need to go back and forth like someone would in jail. stlblues002 and Steve002
while visiting the detention center, we really enjoyed how there was levels for the residents that give them incentives to actually want to behave. for instance... lvl 1 they have to go to their cell at 8:15 and also had bare minimum essentials. lvl 2-3 had to go to bed at 9 or 10 and also were given privileges such as TV, play station and commissary. when the residents first arrive, they are given a shower, finger printing, and also a mental wellness exam. The atmosphere was more like a school and also like a rehabilitation center that focused more on getting better rather than punishment. The cell the residents had to sleep in were more similar to a regular jail cell, almost like solitary confinement. The guards wanted to build relationships with the kids to almost make the residents more comfortable instead of making them feel intimidated. If the residents mistreated someone, or cursed at them, they were issued wall time, which is basically a time out. You can almost get a feeling that the kids wanted to learn because they were all carrying books. Another saying that was really popular throughout the building was AFROG which stands for Alive,Feeling,Reality,Others,Goals. One thing that stood out to me was a boy who got out of his chair to meet and greet everyone who was visiting the center. If the residents are on good behavior, the are allotted 15 min phone calls and visitation. overall i believe that it is a great facility and would be a great opportunity for anyone with a 4 year degree! and the coolest thing is that it doesn't have to be in criminal justice.. they welcome any sort of degree which helps with different skills throughout the facility. I would definetly enjoy going again and learn more and more as i go along in my criminal justice career. Camvilla002, aaap-cougs002
The tour of the juvenile detention facility was very interesting and informative. We got to go into the facility and see firsthand the routines and activities that the kids participate in. The detention center was right next to the county jail and was smaller in size. The guards did not look like guards. They did not wear uniforms and did not carry guns. They wore casual looking clothes and had a radio. In the building, there were various paintings and posters on walls that had inspiring quotes to lift the spirits of the delinquents. These decorations combined with the casual dressing of the guards helped to make a very non hostile environment in the building. This non hostile environment led to a very school-like atmosphere. The whole place is focused on rehabilitating the kids rather than punishing them, and this is helped by focus groups. Every week, there are twenty eight focus groups that are held in order to help the rehabilitation process. They focus on building social skills, anger management, and other various life skills children will need in the real world. However, the kids participating in the focus group we witnessed seemed to lack cognitive development. Besides sleeping, the best kids are only in their cells sixty five minutes a day, whereas other kids may be stuck in their cells for a few hours. Unlike an actual prison, the detention center has visitations every night so that relatives of delinquents may visit with them. There is no plexi glass between them so they can make physical contact. The kids always have goals to achieve, among these goals is a tier system. The kids will want to climb the tier system in order to get better benefits and rewards. This system is organized by shirts. Blue shirts is tier one. They are the basic shirt that kids start out on and have very few benefits. The second is green shirts. Green shirts have more benefits than blue shirts, but not quite as much as the last tier, the orange shirts. These kids get more TV and video game time, they could stay up later, had less times in their rooms, and much, much more. It has proven easy for kids to climb through the tiers, but has been difficult to hold that spot. On average, kids stay in the detention center for twenty two days, and the longest stay has been six hundred thirty four days. zmw002 and oasis002
In my own opinion the discipline system at the juvenile detention center was great they were more rehabilitative towards the kids and I think that is what helps them stay in the community and learn something from every bad action in the past. The coupon system was pretty good it was a huge incentive for good behavior. The coupon system helps them understand what they did wrong, and learn how to have better behavior. Staff that interacted with the kids seemed like they knew a lot about Juvenile delinquency and they seemed like they have been through those kids shoes and understand them. I always know when a person seems like they know a lot about what someone else has gone through. One thing I disliked though was that the kids could not go outside which isn't very healthy because people should go outside especially kids, the jail next door at least had a place to go outside for the adults. I just think it was more like a rehab center with a nice gym and nice school and also a cafeteria. That would not be very good for a child who committed a worse crime but it helps the kids understand that they are not going to be there forever. One thing that probably would not be suitable or rewarding for them is video games and TV, because it defeats the whole purpose that kids there need to learn about their behavior and they should not want to stay in a detention center its for them to eventually soon get out and behave out in the community. One part of the prison policy forced the staff to treat each individual child as the same. Staff members were not necessarily informed about the actions or lives of the children that are entered into the system. Although this can be good, some cons follow as well. Not knowing anything about the child can help to reduce biases from the staff members and help all the children realize that maybe they aren't the worst people on the planet. But at the same time this can cause some children to be exposed to worse children, possible hindering their rehabilitation progress. The building itself did not feel like a prison and I feel like this was a good thing. The only rooms that really felt like a detention center were the cells, which were bare. A simple, small room with a toilet and a cot. The rest of the building was obviously tailored towards helping the children feel like their new home was not really a prison for life, but rather a center to teach them right from wrong without instilling the hardships generally accompanied within prison systems. The children in the detention center were really well cared for, which is definitely a plus for parents and children alike. With a visiting room, parents would get the chance to see their child and hug them. And with doctors and other care professionals always on call, the children were generally safe from illness and other various injuries. - AJC002
We all three really enjoyed the juvenile detention center tour. It’s hard to believe that kids this young would commit such bad crimes. We really like how it was treated more as a rehabilitation center and not a jai, makes it feel more at “home” for the kids. They also called the kids there residents instead of prisoners which makes it seem like they are more cared for than most people who committed crimes. It was also really nice to see that there was church volunteers there to be able to practice religion while being detained. I also found it interesting that they schooling there was so relaxed, they get there work and they complete it, being able to graduate on time. The ranking system was also really cool, how they are able to move up in ranks and get more privileges. Also very nice that they allow visitors every day and they don’t limit the visitations to certain days of the week. Really liked the screening system to being entered in the system, helps them reduce the risk of someone being hurt. DIdn’t really like that there was no outside time, maybe adding a fenced in area would help with getting fresh air. I liked that they ate three times a day and they have to meet certain fresh fruit and calories met in a day. Also really liked how if they kid refused to eat they would get medical attention because they need the calories. It was also really nice to see all of the murals on the wall that the kids were able to draw. Really liked the screening process that they had to even have to get into the center, you can’t really get in if you don’t do a serious enough offence. Also liked how they weren’t dressed like cops and they had no weapons on them which made it feel more like a respect level. Liked how you could work there with any four year degree and how it can help you move up into the ranks of the criminal justice system. They average stay there was roughly 22 days but there was some kids days who was there for over a year, and go straight into the jail once they turn 18. KT002 Oregon002 Haggard002
To our suprise we really Enjoyed the juvenile tour as well. When we first walked in and saw that very small boy we had to ask what the age range was because he looked like a baby still! We were shocked to see that first off and to know that kids as young as ten can be in there. We also that it was crazy that the tour guide said they are more likely to be attacked by a ten year old than a kid that about 15-16 years old. He also said the younger kids come in like they are big and bad because they think they are cool and want to fit in. We also liked that they allowed visitors everyday. When they are kids its important for them to know they are loved by their family everyday when they come and visit them as often as they can. RueTootie004 and mznurse004
I was really impressed by the juvenile detention center. Ken was our guide and he showed us lots of things that I didn't know. I enjoyed the scoring process I knew that there was some sort of process for kids to be let into juvenile detiontion but didn't know you needed to be scored in, or that stealing a car doesn't get you in. Also seeing and learning about the limestone teachers who really want to teach there and help the kids was very touching. Listening to the different kids talk in the group really told how the kids seemed very intelligent and spoke to the need for structure in their lives. My heart really went out to a lot of the kids in the facility because of the age of my step daughter it was really sad. It also invoked me to maybe appl y for a job because it seems like a very rewarding position to have. Dadoftwo001
These kids are so young, and I knew that going in but it still surprised me how young some of them were, the most trouble I was getting into when I was their age was not making my bed or not washing off my plate after dinner, it’s a harsh reality but I think facilities like this I feel give the juveniles a shock at what there life might be like if they continue down a bad path, but also giving them the education and role models that they need to move on from the wrong that they did and start working towards a brighter future. -NOsaints003
They definitely have a pretty good rehabilitation programs within the facility. Their education programs is really good, they have actual teachers coming to the facility to help out was pretty smart idea. The limestone teacher was willing to help out the kids, which would give the kids a better education when they are reintroduced into the society. Many of those kids are not bad people, they might have done something accidentally do something stupid and ended up in the facility, but by no means they are bad people. It is quite nice to see the facility actually worked so hard to keep the kid's future as priority. JZ003
A couple semesters ago I took a tour at the Peoria County Jail so when the opportunity came up to take a tour of the Juvenile Detention Center, I was excited to see what kind of differences there would be between the two. There are the blatant differences like how the goal is more to habilitate these juveniles while at the prison there really is not much of that going on and how the Juvenile Detention center felt much more homey, or more like a school while the prison is very cold gloomy compared. What I liked most about our tour was how much our guide was more of a father figure then an officer keeping these kids locked up. I know that is the goal of their jobs but it was very interesting to see the difference from how the adults are treated. I did expect it to be a lot different but not to the level as a father figure to them. In order to work in this side of the criminal justice system you have to really be in touch with you compassionate side but at the same time be stern enough to let the juveniles know that you mean business when they start acting up. Another thing I liked was how they encouraged good behavior from the kids. It is really ingenious ideas such as the coupons to buy additional condiments or candy to go with their meals as a short-term prize for their cooperation, and then they had the different shirt colors for them to have extra privileges as more of a long-term goal to work up to and to stay at that status. All in all I was very pleased that I was able to see the more compassionate side of the corrections system. -NOsaints003
Yes, we were very excited to see the way in which things were ran. The guide even shared a story with us, one of the young men experienced a hard death and felt he needed to talk with Ken and he went and spoke with the young man and comforted him. That small gesture is meant everything to that young man. these are the type of individuals we need working in these environments. Little things like this is the difference between these kids returning or living law abiding lives after. The amount of caring that is showed was nice to see. -mysonmyworld004 -lilcakes004
Between the County and JDC they are very much different from each other. Having that father figure for the residents is really awesome. Giving the residents something to achieve if the do good is a great tool to use to keep them on track with getting their life back. Since the staff there only have radios and handcuffs, it is very important for you to build your communication skills and thick skin. To let them know when your being serious and when your not.-K9003
We thought that it was shocking that the kids had to “pay” for everything that they wanted using coupons that they received for good behavior. Our tour guide told us that they could receive coupons for anything from following directions or doing well in school. They had to buy items that most of would take for granted like mustard or ketchup for a hotdog. The children also had a ranking system based on their behavior that was quantified by the color shirt they were wearing. Starting at blue on the bottom, progressing to green, and then culminating in orange. 80% for blue shirts, 85% for green and then 95% for orange shirts. The kids would lose percentage points for misbehaving. The also received punishments including a five minute time out, depending on the severity of the bad behavior they could also receive a thirty minute time out in their room, without their personal belongings. The most severe punishment was a thirty thirty five, which was two back to back thirty minute time outs followed by a five minute one. A pod housed the bigger kids, B the ones in the middle, and C pod was the one with the smallest children. We got to view C pod while they were doing a group activity. They went around in a circle and talked about rational and irrational thoughts. One would say an irrational thought like I am not going to succeed in life, and then the next kid would say something like, I might have to try harder to succeed. After we watched the group activity we got to meet one of the kids wearing an orange shirt named Ryan. Our tour guide told us that they try to teach the kids how to properly interact with others, so Ryan walked around and introduced himself to all of us with a handshake. We both would say that it is not somewhere we would enjoy being as a child, even though some of those kids probably have a better life inside the detention center than outside of it. I was shocked that the one kid that was having visiting time was so young. He was visiting with his mother and looked like he was 10 years old, which is what our tour guide told us was the minimum age the detention center takes in. I thought it was interesting that they graded kids based on their offense. They had to score a ten or higher, and if they did the police would then bring the juvenile to the detention center. -DTH004 –CMB93004
We enjoyed knowing that that children can earn coupons for good behavior. It was interesting to learn that ketchup is something that needs to be purchased with the good behavior coupons. If anyone has eaten a plain hotdog then it makes sense that certainly, even the most defiant child, would have the motivation to earn one coupon for ketchup, right? This structure is important because it teaches children that good behavior has a positive effect on just about everything. If you want some candy, you earn that treat. If you want some ketchup or mustard, you earn it. If you want anything out of life, you earn it. Sometimes earning those treats or privileges is hard. ~DwDrums004 and ~happilycurious004
Going to the juvenile detention center showed me what it’s like for children who are residents there. I’ve been twice and seen different things each time. Both times, I’ve seen children visiting with family members and both times I’ve also seen the children out in the day room doing group therapy. I remember before the first time I went, I thought it would be boring and plain inside the detention center. I was surprised to see that there are many paintings and positive sayings on the walls. I think it’s a good idea to give the children positive reinforcement because they may not get much positivity when they’re at home. In the cafeteria, there are only allowed to be 24 residents at a given time. I think this is a good idea because 24 children are easier to maintain control of than 50 children. I also think it’s a great idea that the children still get to go to school and have a somewhat personal relationship with the staff members. While there, both times I’ve seen children get excited to see some of the staff. I think this shows how well the staff treats the children. It also shows that the staff actually cares about the residents there and that they’re not just there for a paycheck. As I’ve seen before, it doesn’t seem like there is a whole lot to do as a resident there, but that could just be because of the time of day we were there visiting. I found the experience at the Juvenile Detention Center very interesting and informative. It was really neat to see how these people live and go about their daily lives. It was also refreshing in a way to see how these children are treated. The individuals that worked there really seemed to care about the well being of these kids and helping them in any way they possibly can. I thought it was great to know that so many efforts have been made to create more programs for these kids throughout the day. It's crazy to think that just a couple years ago, these kids were being confined to their rooms as punishment for 24 hours a day, up to a week at a time. That's just insane. Isolation is not healthy for anyone, especially young minds that have so much potential. I was glad to see that they still go to school, have physical education classes and are able to express themselves. I thought that the coupon system was smart and seemed to have a lot of positive impacts. Rewarding these kids and praising them when they behave appropriately is much more constructive for their future than continuously punishing them and bringing them down. It goes without a doubt that a little support and caring can go a very long way. -chillato004, Gators004
The Juvenile detention center was very interesting experience. We thought it was a great educational experience. We were not expecting the kids to be in school full time. We were blown away that they actually had classrooms and gyms. Also we found it very neat that they had drawing and posters that the kids made hung up on the walls. It made it feel more like a school and more homey. It really took away from the jail-like feeling. We were surprised all around at the appearance. It was not what we had expected. We were expecting a cold dark environment, so we were very pleased to see those pictures and words of encouragement all over and happy fun colors in the gym and class room. Another thing we did not expect was that the kids can have parents visit them every day and that the kids have group interactions. We found the staff to be very friendly and you could tell that they really cared for the kids and really wanted the best outcome for them. At one point the tour guide mentioned that they try to give the kids every opportunity to work on their social skills, then he had one of the kids come around to every single person and shake hands with us and introduce himself. It really made us see the kids as kids and not criminals and that no matter what crime they may have committed or what they had been through there is always an opportunity for them to turn their lives around. Another thing we were not expecting was that they had a ticket system and a shirt color system. These systems helped the kids work for privileges. They had to earn it if they wanted something special such as phone calls and snacks. With these systems the kids were able to make their own decisions that would become either a positive or negative outcome based on the choice they make. The negative outcome would either to be sent to a time out or go down a shirt color. The systems also gave the kids something to look forward to and something to work for and be proud of. Another thing we learned was that the girls cause more trouble than the boys. The girls have a lot more fights and drama that cause issues within the “clicks”. Overall we were pleased that we attended the tour. It was not what we expected and in a positive way. We left feeling like when its time for those kids to leave the facility they will have bettered themselves and will change their lives for the better. RueTootie004 and mznurse004
The experience was very exciting and very different than my first experience. Both my partner and my self-loved the idea that they are more of a constructive form of rehabilitation rather than a jail like atmosphere. They help them learn what cause them to end up there rather than just tell them you messed up and now you’re stuck. They give them opportunity to learn and better themselves. They offer classrooms and school settings to keep them on the right path. They give them ample opportunities to grow even within the program itself. The guards do not carry weapons and try to refrain from force if they can. They try to build relationships when they can. My guide was very emotional when speaking of the children. He has become very active in the lives of these young men and women. When given the opportunity to work for such a place it is very important that the individuals in these environments also care about these kids. In my partner’s tour, she sat and watched a group meeting and how they interact with the juveniles. Another great thing was they showed us one of the interaction methods used when meeting new people and a juvenile came around and made great eye contact and shook everyone in our groups hands. They are offered incentive programs like the coupons, shirts and extra time to do what they like. It is really a caring atmosphere and the idea that some truly don’t want to leave is very understanding at times. It is not that they are problem children but they have problems in their lives. The fact that they encourage families to visit is a great way to keep or build a bond. I could imagine that for most of the children they miss their family even if their home life isn’t the greatest. Even though it isn’t jail or prison the bunks are constructed the same way and the food is provided and made from the jail. These are some of the similarities but for the most part this institution is completely opposite. There is a much more nurturing undertone than I believe one would feel in jail or prison. In my tour they young ladies were cutting up and laughing and joking, I did not see that with the young men in the group. This makes complete sense as young ladies tend to seek attention more. Often times boys and girls act out defiantly for attention. Our guide mentioned that some seek it in a physical restraint way and others in an outcry way. Overall, this was a very real experience. I enjoy seeing the caring manner in which it is being ran. The amount of effort given to these kids can make the difference where they are in 10 years. -mysonmyworld004 -lilcakes004
I agree, I love how they are trying o be more constructive and help the kids advance in life and try not to fall in to a life of crime. It was very nice to see the guide get emotional about the kids, its nice to see they form personal connections with the kids and get involved in their lives. JDM004 Kitsune004
Going to the juvenile Detention facility was real eye opener for me. We earned the facility through the visitor entrance. They have us leave our stuff in the boxes to prevent us from giving inmates contraband. we also went through a metal detector, which was really weak because it did not detect my rings and metal in my mouth. Every visitor would go through this process and receive a pat down. A prisoner would go through a different process. They were in hand cuffs when coming in. We learned that anyone under the age of ten are sent to a different facility. When they were in the facility they were more likely to be in there longer or more likely to come back. When they are admitted they are told to take a shower, instead of a cavity search. They check the vitals and distinctions like tattoos, sexuality, and allergies. The inmate is also asked multiple questions to see if they are more likely to complete suicide. If they are more likely to complete suicide they are put in a certain room and checked every four minutes. Also to prevent spread infection they received certain vaccines. Something that surprised me was that a dentist comes once a month to check on their teeth. the one thing that first stood out to me was the fact that they do not call it a jail they call it a detention center and they also refer to them as just kids and not inmates. I also really like how they had a reward system so that the kids could buy things if they earned them throughout the week. this shows to me that they are teaching them basically that if there good they can reward themselves with some type of treat. I thought it was interesting how they had the shirt system that ranked them on how their behavior was. this gives them something to work for and teaches them work ethic and also if they are not good then they cant play kids or eat certain extra food like candy or snacks. i liked how the faculty members actually showed like they cared about the kids and were trying to be more like guidance counselors then prison guards. I thought it was crazy how if the kid steals a car he or she will not be admitted, but one thing that is a guaranteed admittance is if they hit a parent or officer. JDM004 Kitsune004
I really enjoyed the tour at the Juvenile Detention Center. It was very informative. The first thing that I learned was that there was a point system for children to actually be admitted into the facility. The highest score is ten, which it was stressed that if a child strike a parent or officer, it would be an automatic admission into the center. Each child has their own score which allows the staff to know the capabilities of a child. The next thing that we saw was the intake. I felt afraid for the kids knowing that they came in the facility in handcuffs, also the fact that they were patted down, showered and examined. During the psychological exam, the child talked one-on-one with the faculty member to determine whether the child was on drugs, pregnant, sexuall orientation, and overall their physical and mental state. Also, during the tour, we also learned that there was a point system that the children had to abide by in order to receive privileges; the color orange t-shirt were the highest rank, which means that they were able to have many privileges that were available to them. In addition to that, there was also grey and blue. The grey t-shirt was the second highest rank and then blue being the lowest. Furthermore, the facility was very well structured with a small visitation room with parents and other family members. The visitation availability for the residents is based off of their behavior modification program. During visiting hours, the residents were allowed to have one 20ounce plastic bottled drink during visits. The bottle must have original seal intact. Attorneys and probation officers may visit at any time. Others such as; teachers, pastors caseworkers, clergy counselor and school staff may visit with prior approval from a parent. Moreover, the dining area seats twelve on each side with a total of 24. Staff is aware of all food allergies and more. The residents also had a recreational area where they all were sitting in a group, each having the chance to speak an irrational and rational statements. Later, the tour took the group into the area where the residents sleep. The girls were on one side and the boys were on the other. In the individual's separate room, they had a concrete slab to sleep on, a toilet, and only a few blankets. In the warm seasons, the resident only gets two blankets and in the cold seasons, the resident gets three blankets. Overall, the tour was informative and educational. -MyBoys004 -Happy004
I can understand why you would be afraid for the kids since they are brought in with handcuffs. However I can see the reason why they need to be brought in with handcuffs. Some of these juveniles are not there for minor crimes. Some of them are there for crimes like murder and armed robbery. It is for the safety of the juvenile and officers to have them brought in with handcuffs. No one is certain what the juvenile may or may not have on them. It is easy for them to conceal things away from the officers that brings them in. it is all just for safety purposes. What I though was crazy was that when a child is placed on suicide was put in one of the side rooms. They needed to be checked every 4 minutes. The person who has to monitor them was the officer in the control room and they had many other task. Seems like the person in the control room might be over worked with a lot of responsibility of deciding who comes in and opening doors for people. Max003
I really liked the tour of the juvenile detention center. The staff there seemed really informative of everything. This was my first visit of the juvenile detention center. From the outside I thought the place would be a lot bigger than what I saw. The inside of the building seemed really nice and well kept. I was amazed that the person who was running the central control room also had to answer the calls for the police to bring a juvenile in. on top of answering the phone calls they had to go through a sheet to decide if the officer had to bring a child in. The intake of the juvenile detention center was much different than that of the jails. There was no intake officer present at all times in the jail and if a juvenile was placed in the side room they would be monitored by the Peron who I in the control room. What I did not hear anything about and forgot to ask about was how many juveniles were brought in for status offense rather than just criminal offenses. I also learned that this is the only juvenile detention center in the area and that they do take children from other counties as well as some from Springfield. From what I saw it did seem kind of like a children home type of feel. There was painting on the walls which seemed more of a child’s area. I really thought it would be all black in white like the jail. The pod officers really seemed to have that one on one connection with each of the children. That really showed to me that each counselor really cared about the children and their jobs. The pod set up seemed very different to me. I expected high ceilings and an open area, I was wrong. The children were divided up into small blocks with 6 or 7 cells in each block. They had their own little day room and shared a bigger common area with a TV and game systems. After all I had seem it looked like a well-kept place with counselors that knew what they were doing. Max003
Upon discussion of the Juvenile Detention Center tour, my blog partner and I were very impressed with the demeanor of not only the staff, but the children as well. When first entering the building, it was noted that there were positive sayings on the wall and artwork hanging in the lobby. The exact words I on the wall I cannot recall, however it was something to the effect of ‘I have made mistakes in the past and tomorrow is a new day.’ This saying seemed to set the tone of the facility, in that these children need to know that tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning. Throughout the building there were encouraging words such as ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ and tons of artwork (hand drawings of dinosaurs, frogs, etc). It was very touching to see that while this is a detention center, it is very child centered. We appreciated hearing about the processes in place to ensure that the children were kept safe during their time at the detention center. From the time the children enter the building until the time they leave the building, keeping them safe is the number one concern of the staff members. We liked hearing that there were scripted procedures in place when moving the children within the building. The staff guide made mention that children are never left unattended when transitioning from one area to the next or when they are in a shared space within the building. The staff appeared quite happy, despite their physically, mentally and emotionally demanding roles. They all seem to be in it for the children. One staff member said that he would take some of the children home if he could. While the staff maintains the structure of the disciplinary program, they still understand that these children should be treated with respect and kindness. The children appeared to be very content as well. They were smiling and interacting positively with each other. We saw a group activity involving irrational thoughts and rational thoughts. A lot of their comments had to do with ‘being good enough’ to go to college or play sports. It was unbelievably heartwarming to see the children turn a negative comment into a positive comment. It was also nice to see the children helping each other and just hanging out. It is ironic to think that these children are considered deviant in society, however, within the walls of the Juvenile Detention Center, they are just kids. ~DwDrums004 and ~happilycurious004
My partner and I sat down to discuss the assignment and decided not to talk about the tour exactly but the impact it had on us personally. We were not expecting the atmosphere of the place. It was surrounded by positivity and growth instead of negativity and being imprisoned like we were expecting. One of the most impactful things was seeing some of the kids spend time with their family. We could not even imagine being a kid and not getting to go home with your parents. In some instance that is probably a good thing for most of those kids because of the unstable home environment. Though, they are always your parents and family and somehow you always love them no matter how negative they can be. The effect the detention center had on us was intense. Being allowed to see the kids in a vulnerable setting talking about their rational and irrational thoughts was heartbreaking. I guess we all have negative thoughts that eat away at us, but seeing those kids in that situation and their story, their problems by just looking at them was something we will never forget. In this structured environment you could see the kids actually being kids. You could tell they felt important. They felt like they were worth something. Their voice was finally heard and growing up all you want is to be loved and to feel important because you are important. It is so sad that kids from all the age groups come in here and feel like they either need to kill themselves or feel like they need to try to receive that attention. The man who gave us the tour was extremely passionate about his profession. You could tell it was not just a job to him. It was his life. All these kids were his kids. They were put in his care and he did not take that lightly. I guess that is what we all strive to do something that can impact society in a positive way. To hear Ryan’s story was inspiring. To see a boy who had so much loss in his life that came there for some reason growing into a gentleman was wonderful to see. Going to the detention center was very eye opening. We appreciate the opportunity and have a different perspective on the criminal justice system. BabyB004 and April
Touring J.D.C. was really fun. It was my second time going and every time I go I learn new things. The first time I went they really didn't talk to much about the 5 minute time out and the 30, 35 timeout. So that was really interesting to find out that if they want to act like little kids and do stupid things they should get punished like little kids. Hearing that they had an incident with a resident and staff members, shocked me because the guy said that "it hasn't been a serious incident like this one for 10 years." Which means that they are really good at what they do, to keep bad events from happening. Another interesting thing I found out was that their facility operates out of two blocks instead of 3 blocks. Having talk about what they need to do to get them back on the right track and making goals for them selves is really cool. I think in some kind of way having the little kids in C block coed is actually kind of clever because having the little boy residents with the girls, makes them feel safe, as if the mom would. But overall it ended up being exactly like I thought it would.-K9003
This was my second time at the JDC as well, and I agree it is interesting every time and there is always something new to learn. One new thing that I learned on this visit was that they offer visitors every night of the week even though they are only required by the state to allow visitors two nights a week. I though that this was great because it allows the residents to be able to see their parents more often. 7point62001
This was my third tour going on and I still find another thing that I don’t not remember from the past two tours. It is a great refresher on what their focus is for these kid’s when they are dealing with them on a regular basis when coming to the facility. They are treating these kids with the most respect that they can possibly can because they don’t want these kids to feel like that they are at a boot camp or military school. Even though these kids don’t want to listen to the rules that they must follow, but it is to help these kids understand that a life of crime will not get them anywhere, but going next door to sit in another cell must follow even more stricter rules and regulation’s because they will not be treated the same as they were in the detention center. The one most interesting thing that I always catch when I take the tour is that only some of these kids are still at certain levels because it shows us as students who can be the most complicated or which kids are smarter than the other kids and are just trying to get out of detention as fast as possible. This facility isn’t here to torture these kids it is there so that they can learn from these mistakes and it is more of like a preview of what their future will look like if they keep continuing a life of crime starting at a young age. They provide the best programs for these kids and to make sure that they get the necessary needs that they deserve while in detention. Overall the tour was amazing and I am considering applying for an internship for the summer next year. GoodVibes003
I have toured this Juvenile Detention Facility twice, every time I visit this place, it always feels more like a school than a detention facility. The residents were actually really friendly, as we entered the facility, I saw a resident looking at my direction, and we just simply exchanged a head nod as a way to say hi, that was kind of cool, where I thought they would be a little more tense. During the tour, I noticed the beds that the residents are sleeping on, it can barley be called a bed. A piece of concrete with some what of padding on it, I personally hate sleeping on bed, but after seeing this I kind of feel bad for the residents. I think it was pretty cool that the residents are receiving proper educations, where the outside world can be pretty cruel, but within the facility, it felt a bit more peaceful. This facility is extremely clean and well organized through out, artistic drawings can be seen at every corner of this facility. They have the same lunch as the jail next door, so highly doubt its any good. During my first tour, I have seen the lunch they are given, and I can't say I'll ever want to eat it my self. The residents are given fruits as snacks for five days out of the week, which is good, because some fruits can boost their immune system. As we progressed into the Orange level residents, they seem like every day kids, but apparently there is always reasons for them to be there. The kids were just being kids, for a moment I felt as if I was in a school. As one of the orange level resident came to shake everyone's hands, there were no feeling of tension or unease, because after all he is just a kid. During the orange resident's lecture, one of the kid pushed a chair back too hard, creating a loud sound, all the guards looked at him in a way that was kind of, mean... He immediately felt ashamed, but those looks were something I felt unease about. The overall of the facility seems to do it's job quite well, the kids seems to have the proper rehabilitation's programs, and their main goal is to give the residents a second chance into the society. This tour was pretty fun, despite it being my second tour, it was still quite informative and unique in a way. JZ003
From the tour of the juvenile detention center it was obvious that their goal was to rehabilitate their residents. The residents here still go to school 4 days a week to continue their education, instead of just sitting in their cells. They also have small group sessions to help them. When we were there they were talking about different emotions, whether they were health or unhealthy, and explaining why. All of the residents were participating with this, most of them seemed like they ere having a good time. The take 5-punishment system was interesting to me. It seems unlikely that standing against a wall for five minutes would have a big impact on their behavior, but after having to do it a few time they realize it not worth it and their behavior improves. The three-tier system seemed like a good idea and appeared to be effective as well. Privileges such as a later bed times and video games are a great way to motivate teenagers to behave properly. I was surprised at how few hours residents spent in confinement each day. Keep their confinement time low helps to keep things less punitive. Allowing parent to come and visit every night is another positive characteristic of this facility. State regulations only require that two nights be available for visits, but the believe it is health for the residents to get visitors and parents are encouraged to visit frequently. The facilities current staff to resident ratio is currently 12:1. However an unfunded mandate from a new federal act will require a minimum ratio of 8:1. They will be the first facility in the stat to be compliant with the act, starting in January. 7point62001
The juvenile detention center was a great tour and eye opener one how the juveniles are housed at the facility. from how big the outside looked the inside was relatively small. It was only a long hallway with all the pods off of the hallway. The intake was very small compared to how the intake is at the jail. There were only 4 side rooms to house the juveniles who were on suicide watch. What amazed me is the amount of time you had to check on a juvenile that was one suicide watch. The amount of time before you had to check on them again was 4 minutes. The person who had to check on them was the person in the control room. They had the most important job in the facility. They were in charge of opening the doors for people who didn’t have keys. Also, they were in charge of answering the calls from the officers and determining if a juvenile was to be brought in or released to their parents. They discussed with us that if a juvenile hits their parent they are automatically brought into the facility. The amount of time the resident stayed varied between each person. For a domestic battery they can have a stay of only a couple days whereas murder is until sentenced which can last up to a year or more. Going to the juvenile detention center showed me what it’s like for children who are residents there. I’ve been twice and seen different things each time. Both times, I’ve seen children visiting with family members and both times I’ve also seen the children out in the day room doing group therapy. I remember before the first time I went, I thought it would be boring and plain inside the detention center. I was surprised to see that there are many paintings and positive sayings on the walls. I think it’s a good idea to give the children positive reinforcement because they may not get much positivity when they’re at home. In the cafeteria, there are only allowed to be 24 residents at a given time. I think this is a good idea because 24 children are easier to maintain control of than 50 children. I also think it’s a great idea that the children still get to go to school and have a somewhat personal relationship with the staff members. While there, both times I’ve seen children get excited to see some of the staff. I think this shows how well the staff treats the children. It also shows that the staff actually cares about the residents there and that they’re not just there for a paycheck. As I’ve seen before, it doesn’t seem like there is a whole lot to do as a resident there, but that could just be because of the time of day we were there visiting. –Gators003, max003
When we walked through the control room the woman explained her job in good detail and showed us how much she had to do. I felt like she had too much to do. I think that the program "a-frog" was very beneficial to the children. The kids were discussing emotions and weather they were healthy, or not. The kids were scored on a level system and given certain privileges such as more visiting hours, ps4. They were taught to look at the mistakes they made and not label themselves as a criminal. They discuss their mistakes and outcomes and other ways they could've handles their problems. I think the punishment of standing in the corner would fit better for younger kids and not the older kids. I feel the punishment would belittle them and only add more anger and tension. The kids had a wonderful school set up. The classrooms were very colorful and fun, nothing like i expected them to be. The kids also had a very nice gym and many things to do while they're there. The man that ran our group talked about how he forgives the kids when they speak to him poorly, or hit him because its better not to hold grudges, rather just teach them appropriate ways to behave and handle their anger. They feed the kids the same food from the jail, it is just sent over and heated up. One of the kids was very polite. He came up to introduce himself, and you could clearly tell apart the kids who didn't care, to the kids who were using the program and benefiting from it. The kids attend school during normal hours. I think this specific facility was understaffed. chi003 tracker003
I like that rehabilitation was the main focus of the detention center, making sure that the juveniles minds are kept on their futures by making it a homey atmosphere rather than a menacing one, the guards are well versed in how to handle the kids in a less harsh manor but still being stern when need be, they are in school four days a week which also helps them when they get out, thus also keeping their minds on their future, the fact that actual teachers from schools such as limestone were really wanting to teach here shows that people really care about these kids.. They were able to visit with family on a daily base but were encouraged to keep good behavior otherwise they were not able to hug them. Another way they kept good behavior was two systems like the coupon system and t-shirt system. The coupon system was more of a in the moment encouragement by allowing them to get extra stuff on lunch for their food such as ketchup for their hotdogs or candy for after their meal. The T-shirt system was a privilege earned over time where they were able to work their way up to an orange shirt which gave them the ability to stay up later and play video games on a PlayStation 3. The juvenile we were introduced to was very polite and well behaved and really shows that the facility is doing a great job at giving these kids hope for their futures. The punishment system is well built by ranking how bad their behavior is. If they did something small they went on a 5 minute time out but not in any confinement, if they refused or did something worse they went on a 30 minutes time out in their cell and then returned to whatever area they were in to do their 5 minute time out. If there is any type of assault there was 60 minute time out in their cell and then would return to their area for the 5 minute time out. The officers that work at the facility really seemed to know what they were doing and how to handle the kids with only a 4 year requirement. The facility is low staffed right now, currently standing at 1-12 when they should be a 1-8. Over all I really learned a lot from visiting this facility. –Nosaints003 cowboys003
The first step as you enter into J.D.C. the residents have to go through a intake process. This process consist of a full body search and going through a serious of questions, which determine the level of risk you are. After the intake process you then will be given a certain type of outfit to wear that classifies the type of resident you are. The outfits given are blue, pink, orange, and green. Depending on the age of the resident determines the type of resident block they will be placed in. I was impressed by how respectful they were to visitors and how they have a point system, that helps them buy extra items. Such as candy, books, and extra covers. What new thing I figured out is that they have a 5 minute time punishment, that is used to show residents the types of behavior is wrong. Once they finish with their 5 minutes they have to talk about why they were given the 5 minutes in the first place. I found out that the longer the residents stay in J.D.C. the more willing they are to go with the program and build that good relationship with the staff and other residents.-K9003/ RustyPete003
Going to the juvenile detention center, was a good experience and should be made available for others more so kids. So that they can see what really goes on and could help with recidivism. We observed a lot of different things.Really enjoyed the part when we entered the day room and got to listen in on the group.. And how they were going through the rational and irrational thoughts. Also how the staff promotes communication skills with the residents. And encouraging communication with their peers, as well as staff. One of the things shocked us was that there was a boy that looked all of 12 in there and just made you think what the hell is he doing in here and where are his parents.. Did think the ticket system was a good fit for the center because it teaches them about budgeting because it is their currency,also gives them an opportunity to feel better about themselves because its an accomplishment. Didn't care for the closeness in the cafeteria, seems like it would leave room for more fights because of the closeness. Didn't think it was a very good idea to have a 12 year old with kids who are learning mid high school education ... MITHGHTS003 RW003
The Juvenile Detention Center did not stigmatize the Residents, for example, the guards did not wear uniforms, there were no visible bars, no out door fencing topped with barbed wires. The entire facility appeared more like a school, they even had a school classroom, in which helps the kids to obtain GED and high school diploma. Kids were able to obtain adequate nutrition, like given fruits every five days out of the week. There seems have enough activities for the Residents to kill time with, for example they had a PS2 and PS3, checker board, and ping pong table. Within the facility there were no jail labels. Some of the well behaved residents had natural light coming through their cells, which would improve their mental health. The residents are given chances to bond and interact with their fellow residents. There were plenty of visitation chances, with their parents and etc. The facility offers great medical cares, for example they offer dental work, and are able to treat a resident on the spot. The guards seems to care very much for the residents, they view them as children and not inmates. The kids are given a second chance to get their lives straight. The residents were well behaved and are not angry towards the visitors. The residents have access to group counseling, a good example is when the orange level residents are getting together to discuss about what is positive and negative thoughts. The residents are taught with resilience, this would better help their chances when they are reintroduced back into the society. The facility teaches the residences social skills, preventing them from becoming anti social or unable to communicate with others. There were the reward system, they are given extra privileges for extra good behaviors. They were given coupons to use as currency within the facility. The coupons can be used to buy play time on gaming devices and comfort items, such as food, snacks, bedding, and etc. CoolGuy003, JupiorZ003
I agree that the juvenile detention center here in Peoria was not at all stigmatizing to the youth detained there. The staff are very respectful to the kids and have a genuine care for them. That alone can go a long in helping these kids. Not only are they given a second chance but are being taught by the staff there proper socialization skills, how to respect themselves as well as others, and helping them set goals. The incentives they have in place for the kids is great as well. These give the kids reasons to want to attain the goals set forth for them by the staff. Way to go Peoria County. They are geared toward rehabilitating the kids and not simply punishing them just as the juvenile justice system was meant to work. mommy001
We enjoyed the tour very much. It showed us some inspiring inspiration from this facility. The time out sequence starts at 5 minutes then the supervisor ask the individual ask the delinquent why they were put in time out and if they respond negatively then they would have to sit in their room for 30 minutes and then after that 30 they have to do another 5 minutes and never get out until they give a correct response. Privileges system work depending on how they determine how obedient they are towards to the staff and others. They teach these kids good manners and how to approach other people with those manners. They are still required to go to the same amount of schooling as if they where not in the detention facility, but they go a little bit longer. Even though they are still juveniles they still are provided the least eligibility for juveniles that they still receive the same amount as adults. The group setting help's these kids on expressing that anger that builds inside and helps them try to figure out solutions to control all of that anger. Everything that they earn is all based on coupons which is to help these kids on how to earn those coupons by mainly obeying or completing the good deeds and those coupons can be used to purchase clothing, supplies, extra time, and personal hygiene. The better they act the later are able to able to stay up and give more visitation times and they do get night visitations if their parents work till a certain time. The negative things that were brought upon the tour such as food which mainly heated and brought from the jail. Overall the tour was interesting. GoodVibes003, JY160, GRUNT003
I found the tour to the juvenile detention center to be very informative. I wanted to be a juvenile probation officer but after the tour I think I may want to work in the juvenile detention center. The incentives of earning the coupons was an excellent idea. Giving kids something to look forward to when they display good behavior and make good choices. They can use the coupons to purchase things from commissary or extra phone calls. The group sessions they attend are helping teach the kids proper socialization skills that are needed to be productive in society. Some of these kids don't learn these skills at home so I found that to be a very important part of the detention facilities programs. I also noticed the cards outside their rooms with their goals on them. This was a great way to remind the children of what goals they needed to strive to attain. The way the staff talked to the children was also important. They spoke respectfully and treated them as human beings which is very important if they want the children to be respectful. Also in so doing they were teaching the children how to respect others . The time-out system they implemented there was also a good thing. I was glad to see they don't place the kids on solitary confinement. Overall I feel Peoria County has a great juvenile detention center and the staff we encountered that night are doing a wonderful job trying to rehabilitate the youth detained there. mommy0001
This was my first time visiting the Juvenille Detention Center and the experience was one of the best that I've had with Criminal Justice so far. The facility was nothing like I expected before I toured it. Honestly, I thought they were receiving the opposite of the opportunities that the facility provides to them. During the tour, I noticed that most of the residents and the juvenille officers have respect and love for each other even though they may have their differences with certain things. Rehabilitation is the main concern for these residents because they have a second chance at life and are able to turn it around for their future. At the end of the day, they still are children even through they got into trouble and committed a crime, or multiple offenses. No one can't judge these juveniles because they're only human and may have had a rough childhood to where they ended up in this facility. The staff and juvenile officers are doing a phenomenal job at making sure the residents have the proper meal plan, the education, social interaction with the other residents and staff members, and physical fitness while still disciplining them in the correct and mannered way instead of treating them like criminals, or animals. When we went into the room with the residents and hear them discussing the rational and irrational thoughts, it opened my eyes about what their positive and negative thoughts that they had about themselves as children. Some of them said they are smart and are going to college while others said they'll never be good enough and won't succeed at anything in life. There was all kinds of mixed emotions of what the residents thought about their personal selves based on what they think others think about them. The residents are growing as individuals as they are processing through the facility based on the blue level to the green level to the orange level of the shirts that represent their behavior because they're recieving and interacting with other individuals that they can relate to and have the juvenile officers as their mentors through their time in the facility. -RW003
I thought it was very interesting to see what goes on in the detention center. Going into cpod was neat because we got to see a group doing a good job. One kid came and introduced himself to us which was pretty cool to see. Seeing the camera room was also neat because we got to see every camera in the whole place and what goes on in the building. Seeing the people in the different color shirts was interesting to see because we got to know what level they were. Orange shirt was level 3, grey was level 2 and blue shirt was level one. Also we learned what they have to do in intake. Tim said the kids in there were the ages from 10 - 17 years old and they were in there for like murder and domestic battery and residential burglary. I did not expect anyone to be in timeout but I was totally wrong. Overall the Detention center and a good experience for me because we got to see what the kids did and how they acted. They would get coupons if they did good things and if they did very well they would move up a level and if they leveled up they would get special privileges and be able to play PlayStation and cards and have a later bed time than the other levels. Golfer001
ReplyDeletewe agree on the different aspects of your thoughts and comments. the fact that Bryan (the juvenile who shook everyone's hand) was showing that much respect towards us as strangers really speaks to how the workers there help the children be functioning members of society once they leave the detention center. the level system was also great because it taught the kids to be well behaved and respectful to each other along with the workers to rank up in the privileges they receive. RRM001 bike001
DeleteWe also thought that it was interesting to go into Cpod and see what was going on. The focus group going on was very cool to watch. It was weird to see the stark differences between some of the kids. Some were cussing out the counselors causing them to take their 5 minute on the wall, while on went up to us a shook hands and introduced himself to all of us. It showed us how different some of the kids are from each other, and how some of them don't even seem like the belong in there.
DeleteJAG002 GH_Blackhawks002
Loved your response, got a lot of great information. Haggard002 KT002 Orgeon002
DeleteWe completely agree with your statements. We thought that it was interesting to see the discipline system, which was constructive and detailed. -MyBoys004 -Happy004
DeleteI agree with you. They want to teach these kids to be more advanced for their ages. Especially the 17 year old who was very sweet and greeted himself to us was very impressive. They want to teach these kids that being a delinquent isn't the way to go in life. GoodVibes003
DeleteThe juvenile detention center was not what we expected. The staff and children had a more one on one relationship than we thought they would have. This detention center was more punitive and it resembled more of a rehab center. The facility allowed for visitors and phone calls seven days a week when state law only requires two. This goes to show that the staff feels that family ties are important and allows for the kids to grow. When it comes discipline there are no lethal restraints and their most common act of discipline is timeout and the 30/5 rule; 30 minutes in their rooms to think about what they did wrong and 5 minutes facing the wall. They also offer coupon system in which the children earn coupons for everything they get. Playing playstation and having a later bedtime is something the kids strive to have. They also have groups to maintain social skills and come together to learn healthy and unhealthy behaviors. The kids also are required to go to school 5 days a week and they must attend every subject. The classrooms are taught by current Limestone teachers which allows for better teaching. The staff is very hands on and you can tell that they all have a one on one relationship with each resident. They are respectful and kind even when the kid is rude in return. When a kid acts out they just tell them to go to the wall instead of focusing on them for a long period of time. The staff also wears every clothing, no uniforms, and this is a way to make the kids feel less intimidated. The kids are separated into different age groups which keeps the little kids from learning bad behaviors from the older kids. The staff is also all specialized in mental health and the facility hires people of all ethnicities, majors, and gender. A big thing that we noticed was there was no 24 hour solitary confinement. The kids were sent to their rooms up to 18 hours at a time for higher offenses. The staff makes the kids work to get to certain levels, orange being the best, and they make it to where it's harder to maintain. This is a way to make them act better for a longer period of time. The older kids also act as mentors for the little ones. For example, during their group session a young man came and shook all of the visitors hands, teaching the younger kids respect. The residents also had flashcards where they wrote down their goals and hung them outside their door for motivation. The kids and staff also painted pictures around the walls for another way to learn social skills. All in all, it was a good experience. We think that it was most important that the staff kept a great relationship with the residents, building trust and letting them know that someone cares. The staff knew everyone by name and they had patience. They understood that everyone has their own story. behappy001 dicaprio001
ReplyDeleteWe agree that it was interesting that the staff and the kids had more one on one relationship that we expected. This could help the kids because these kids may not have always had this when they were at home and this could potentially help them when they get out of the detention center. GRUNT001 hawkshockey001
DeleteWe agree, it was LESS punitive and more rehabilitative. The best way to do so would be to have more of the one-on-one relationship that most of the workers had with the delinquent. Each worker knew the kid's name and some had more positive rapport with the delinquents. The clothing helps with that; not being in a uniform and being in civilian clothing makes the environment more rehabilitative. Rapport is very important when dealing with delinquents because those workers become temporary buffers. agentp001 and golfer001
DeleteThe place had a really good close interaction with the kids and the staff, they were really rehabilitative because compared to the county jail it seemed more like a rehab center than a prison. They even gave the kids rewards if they behaved well so they were acting better. The discipline was unique compared to adult prisons. They helped the kids reach their goals, and that focus group helped the kids because it helped them dream about college. The kids seemed mature, one kid kept shaking everyone's hand introducing himself to everyone. The focus group helps them have dreams and helps them be stable. I thought that the casual dress was great too because, it did help the kids feel like it was a positive environment unlike prisons where there is always a prison officer dressed up in a cop outfit with a gun on them. AJC002
DeleteWe agree. The tour was so interesting. We did not expect the facility to be so open and relaxed. We thought it would be more like a regular jail where it feels cold and hard. The staff do a great job of connecting with the kids and trying to rehabilitate them rather than punishing them. It was interesting how the staff did not wear any uniforms that showed their authority. We liked this idea, as it creates a more comfortable relationship between the staff and the kids. Uniforms can create a sense of higher authority and the kids might feel as if they cannot come to the staff with problems or concerns. We are really glad we got to experience this tour. Steve002 and stoblues002
DeleteWe don't see this type of relationship with most facilities because they are in it for the money. It's not the case for this Juvenille detention center because the Juvenille officers treat the residents with respect and mentor them while disciplining them at the appropriate situations. These children deserve the same opportunities as the children in public and private schools because they can achieve and become successful in life when they are released from the facility. It was a good feeling to know that the young man who shook our hands had respect and manners after all that he has been through during his time in the facially. It goes to show that these children don't let the rough times break them down because it only makes them stronger by having mentors get them through it. -RW003
DeleteMy opinions going into the detention center were different than what I saw. Based on what tv shows and movies portray, they get the worst punishment possible. But for example, this is how they corrected behavior in this facility. From talking back to the staff, they get a 5 minute wall sit. Another interesting thing is they go off a coupon system. When they do something good or respectful they receive paper coupons where they get extra time out of their cell or extra commissary and privileges such as staying up later and playing the PS3. There were also different levels and pods within the detention center. There were three levels based on their attitudes. The staff also allow access to their families five days a week which is different than other facilities and different from the law. The staff seemed to be really nice and thoughtful to the kids in the jail, they seemed to make a real connection with the kids and understood them. Their main focus to teach them was to kill them with kindness, teach them important social skills that they need to learn when they get out. Even though they seemed understaffed, they look and accept anybody with a bachelors degree whether that be in graphic design or criminal justice. The kids also receive an education while they are staying there. Teachers from Limestone come over and teach them book smarts and social skills. They teach them how to be respectful while in the classroom to others and to the teachers. Another thing we had learned was how they receive medication from the county jail next door and the nurse from there comes over and hands it out. That way if they get medication mixed up it doesn't land on the detention center itself. The parole board works with the staff so that once they are released, they make sure they become productive members of society and they don't return or they go onto jail. The age group was pretty small together, they were at least three to four years in difference. During one of the sit ins we did, they group of kids had discussed together the unhealthy and healthy types of feelings. Such as aggression, depression, sorrow, disappointment. They had to figure out which one belonged under that category. It was definitely a more cognitive place. One thing we had noticed was how the kids wrote their goals on their doors and it was definitely a more individuality towards each one of them. Instead of just having them go along with everyone else, they were allowed to stay at their own pace.
ReplyDeleterose001 Eagle001
I was also surprised by how rehabilitative the facility was and by the reward systems that they had implemented. I am glad that the juveniles were not given the third degree. By the group discussion they had it seemed like many had the potential to be successful and part of the 80% who do not come back to the facility after committing more delinquent acts. CoolGuy001 7point62001
DeleteI agree the system for the good behavior is different than what is ex specked. But from a small place it is understandable for why they do it. I think that the kids that are in there for murder should work harder for there privileges, than a lesser offensiveness kid in there. I also gree on how the staff interacts with the kids in there.adelle002 CAE002
DeleteOur tour of the juvenile detention center was an interesting thing to be a part of. It allowed us to see in person what some of the things we have learned about was actually like. Instead of actual punishment, the kids got a five-minute punishment, where they stood and faced the wall. After they had severed their five-minute punishment, they were then asked why they got their time out in the first place. If the lashed out again or refused they time-out they were then sent to their room for thirty minutes where they would then still have to serve the five-minute time until they acknowledged what they had done wrong. Another interesting concept that was interesting was the point and the coupon system they had in place. Nothing in the detention center was free, the kids had to earn everything that they got. Even if the kids wanted ketchup for their food, the kids had to have coupons to be able to purchase that. They received these coupons based off of their good behavior. Another thing the kids had to do that was interesting was the fact that they still had to attend the school inside of the detention center. They were still expected to wake up at seven and get ready for breakfast and then go to the classrooms. Making them go to school made sure that they were still getting and education and mimicked what they would have to do if they were not inside the detention center. Along with having to go to school, they were also expected to participate in group activities. They were expected to express thoughts, anger that they would have, and describe the different paths that they could take to deal with all of this and the best way to do that. Another system that they had that we thought was a good was the scoring out system. After the juvenile would be arrested by the police, the police officer would then have to call the detention center and tell them the charges to see if they were severe enough to bring them in. This is a nice system to have so that the police don’t have to bring every juvenile who commits a crime in to the detention center. The detention center staff also worked to make sure that the kids worked on having good manners and social skills. The supervisor told one of the kids to practice his social skills and he walked around and shook everyone’s hand and introduced himself. GRUNT001 hawkshockey001
ReplyDeleteWe both thought that the tour was very interesting and very informative. There were many things to take away from the tour. Once we arrived, we had to sign waivers in order to go in. The first step was learning about the intake process, learning what the workers do once a new delinquent arrives. They start off by asking the child questions in order to see what kind of state of mind that they are in and see whether they are a danger to other children or themselves. We learned that the state is required to let the children have at least 1 visit per week allowed to them. There are only certain types of people who are allowed to visit; preferable people who could become buffers. They are allowed to make as many out-going calls that they want to, according to their level. Level 1 are allowed 1 phone call per week, Level two is allowed 2 phone calls with an option of purchasing 2 more phone calls, and Level 3 residents are allowed 3 with the option to purchase 4 more additional phone calls. Phone calls are 15 minutes long and there are certain hours per day that they can call. We noticed that in almost every hall they had posters up that talked about the rights that each person has there. It is important for each delinquent to be informed, never being left out of the loop. There were color-coding of the different levels by what color of clothing each kid wears. Level 1 was grey, level 2 was blue, and level 3 was orange. This was a great system, it helps provide kids with the knowledge to know who to associate with, know that they have to work hard and be motivated in order to move up a level. Another thing with the uniform is that the workers are always taking precautions toward the children's safety. For example, the kids have plastic sandals at all times, and when they enter the gym there are cubbies that have slip on shoes without laces. This would be more of a precaution toward delinquents with suicidal or aggressive tendencies. Another great thing that we noticed is that the workers try really hard to teach the children positive social skills. This all goes back to the types of discipline. For example, if a delinquent were to cuss, the worker would say politely "Please go to the corner or wall for your five minutes." If they don't behave it's another five, and then 30, another 30, THEN the 24 hours. The workers don't jump to the harshest disciplinary actions. It was very beneficial to go. agentp001 and golfer001
ReplyDeleteAfter the visit to the Juvenile Detention Center, we learned that there were many things that went on inside that we were not aware of. First, we thought the method of using the time out system was very interesting. The system was only used when it was a verbal attack, and in the case of a physical attack they got sent to their rooms for 30 minutes and then serve a timeout after. We thought that it was interesting that they actually listen to the leaders and serve the timeouts, follow the rules set, and how effective the timeouts were to the juveniles. Another interesting part was the focus groups. The kids were allowed to talk to each other and express how they feel. One thing we thought could be effective is to allow the parents to join in on some of the focus group sessions so the parents can work on learning how to handle the juveniles once they are released. The advisors/leaders all served as buffers for the juveniles, and provided a support system for the kids. The advisors made sure to let the kids know that they care for them and truly want them to succeed in life. The inside of the jail was not what we expected it to look like. The rooms were there but outside of the rooms was set up more like a school. They were required to go to “class” four days a week, and were receiving an education while serving their time. Another interesting thing was how if they did not want to go to school, they were required to stay in their room. Another shocking thing was how the advisors taught them how to greet people and be respectful of visitors. That is another way the juveniles are being taught skills for outside the detention center. These skills are going to help them in the future with interviews and basic manners. The most likely would have never learned these skills had it not be for the detention center. That just goes to prove another way the juveniles are being rehabilitated. Coupons are given to the kids for good behavior and following the rules. The coupons could be used for game systems, more free time, food and snacks, and to stay up later. That is another way to show that they can be good if they choose to be and reinforces good behavior. One thing that we feel like is that the kids can be “faking” being good in order to receive these benefits and not be truly getting better. Broncos001 Bamboo001
ReplyDeleteagreeing with this summary of the visit. it was remarkable how what privileges these kids get while at the detention center. the detention center did remind me and other students like of a rehab center or even a children's hospital, making it a little more livelier than making it look like a prison. these kids would set life goals and even day goals about what they could do to improve there actions. also hearing about them going to school 4 days a week still getting an education while be detained. camvilla002 aaap_cougs002
DeleteWe thought that it was interesting how the guards keep their cool when the kids act up. They try to help the kids as much as they can so they don't repeat the cycle again as they get older. It was amazing to see how some of the more older kids have more respect and are trying to better themselves and mentor each other as well as the younger kids too. It'll be interesting to see how much it contrasts to the actual jail since the guards don't treat the children as inmates but as regular kids. The guards don't even carry actual weapons in the juvie, only kindness.
Delete- AW002 JiminyxC002
When we visited the juvenile detention center I expected to see more security and fewer programs since the detention center would be similar to a jail and not intended for long term confinement. I expected the terms to be very short as I expected the juveniles there to be held for either a short sentence or to await a hearing. I expected the employees to have uniforms and that the facility would be similar to the nearby adult one. When we arrived I was surprised by the lack of external security features such as fencing. I was also surprised by the lack of uniforms and more friendly demeanor of the employees. The mix of electronic surveillance and presence of dayrooms and natural lighting made the facility a cross between a second and third generation adult jail. The juveniles in the facility were given a lot of rehabilitative attention. They were able to create murals on the walls, and given other creative opportunities. The juveniles were also given access to a half court gym as both something to let them burn off stress and energy and to give them a place to play. The employees seemed very compassionate, the one who gave my group a tour talked about he would spend time with individual juveniles and would even come in to shoot baskets in the gym with juveniles who were experiencing rough times on the outside like if a friend or family member passed. There was also a reward system within the facility, juveniles who followed the rules were able to have more privileges, some would be given coupons to spend on comfort items like candy at a commissary. The facility also had staffed classroom so the juveniles could get GED credits or even maintain an opportunity to get a high school diploma. Juveniles were also given access to group counselling. We were able to view one of the group counselling sessions and it seemed to be aimed at building resiliency and positive thinking skills for the juveniles. A surprising thing about the facility was that it offered visiting hours every day, the state only requires two visitation periods a week. Many of the juveniles detained at the facility were there because they had struck or otherwise committed a domestic battery on a responding officer or parent. We were informed that it was mandatory for anyone who had struck an officer or parent to be detained at the facility. Having it be mandatory could have reduced the level of discretion given to the responding officer, and probably could have gone against the will of the parent. CoolGuy001 7point62001
ReplyDeleteI agree when you said that the coupons and timeout were very beneficial to both the staff and the residents. it allowed for them to have something to work towards and the timeouts were beneficial because they were layered on with consequences. it was important that they also had to do the five minute timeout no matter what. the fact that they had to take part in all group activities and they did a lot of hands on activities as tell. we liked how the kids shook hands too. it proves that they teach respect and they all know how to act it just depends on when they want to do it. the staff was very kind and respectful to the residents and us as well. behappy001 decaprio001
ReplyDeleteWe thought that this trip was very informative. Our first stop was the control room where one person oversees everything that goes on in the detention center. This seems like a very overwhelming job for just one individual. The next stop we made was the intake area. The officers who bring in the juveniles are not allowed to bring their weapons into this area. Although the kids are handcuffed, once they feel the child has calmed down they remove the cuffs. They then go through a lengthy list of questions to assess where the child is at. This helps to determine if a child is suicidal or if they need medical attention. There are posters informing these children of their rights throughout the building so that the kids are adequately informed. These children go to school from 8:00 to 2:30 Monday through Thursday. These children follow the same curriculum as public school. The uniforms that the kids wore were geared towards their protection, such as shoes with no laces. This is because laces could be used as a suicide tool or a weapon against other children or staff. The colored shirts represented what level the kids were on and the amount of privileges they have. The colored shirts also help these children pick their peers while in the center. Children with orange shirts have earned more privileges because they are better behaved so other children look to them as mentors. The young man Ryan learned how to respect others and is a mentor to the other children in this facility. The children have four group sessions a day where they are taught proper social skills, coping mechanisms. The way that the staff members treat these children with so much respect, and because of this the children believe that they are cared about and that they matter. The detention center here is run with rehabilitation in mind. They do not use solitary confinement as a punishment at all. They use time outs for five minutes, thirty minutes if they five fails, and then thirty-five. The longest a child is kept in their room is twenty-four hours. Outside of each child's room, they put the child's goals for the week to remind them and help them reach their goals. If they meet their goals for the week,the children are rewarded with a pizza party or a movie night on Sunday. This gives these children a incentive to behave. EKT001 mommy001
ReplyDeleteI thought the pizza party was a good idea to help the kids push forward to want to do bigger better i had a good feeling when leaven there to that those kids were being treat pretty dang fear.Was being gave the proper treat to help these kids leave the center and be rehabilitated the COs were all the page of helping these kids it seemed like help them change how they were thinking and to live a better happier life.cowboyw001
DeleteIt was very interesting to see what went on in a juvenile detention center. It was surprising how calm the counselors remained, even while the kids were cussing them out. Even the kids seemed to know that they needed to take 5, there punishment which was standing against the wall, whenever they decided to cuss at any of the counselors. At the beginning of the tour, our guide told us that they had 3 kids currently in on a murder charge, which was very surprising considering the age of the kids in the facility. Another interesting part was that the currency the kids used in the facility was in the form of coupons. Whenever they did something good or respectable they would be given a coupon that they could use to purchase anything in the facility such as free time or school supplies. As each kid would behave better and better they could be bumped up levels to get more privileges. Each color of shirt that a kid was wearing represented which level they belonged to: blue shirts for level one, green for level two, and orange for level three. Once level two or three was reached they would have video games available to play, which was surprising to see in a detention center. Also, each level would have a bump in the time they had to go to bed, which would be important to them considering how small each of their rooms were. The cells were simply a small concrete room with a mattress pad on a concrete slab. We learned during the tour that the average stay at the facility was around 22 days, but they had currently released a kid who had been with them for over 600 days. We were told during the tour that there was one kid that whenever he was around a guard would hit them, causing him to be kept in restraints whenever he was out of his cell. He was even forced to wear restraints during his free time or if he was in the gym. Another interesting thing we learned was that the facility encouraged visits and phone calls every night, the state doesn’t mandate visits every night but the kids, if they behaved, were still given the option to call home most nights or have their parents or other family members come visit them.
ReplyDeleteJAG002 GH_Blackhawks002
The calm demeanor of the guards truly showed how professional those employees were. We completely agree, no matter what word or name was thrown their way, the guards stayed calm. It really truly helped with the rehabilitation process, making the kids feel more relaxed and not as if they are in a hostile environment.Honestly all Juvenal detention centers would be better at rehabilitating their residents if they took this approach.-OKC002 Ciaccio002
DeleteThe guards at the Peoria Juvenile Center keep their calmest with the kids in their worst actions. They respect the guards even when they mess up, in example, when a kid gets put in timeout, the guards tell them thank you for being respectful. Our group leader said it’s better to kill the kids with kindness because they’ll show you more respect as they go on. Some kids with behavioral problems, mess up without a doubt. But they try to make good so they don’t get into any more trouble. “Take a 5,” meaning to a 5-minute timeout, usually comes when the kid acts up by either cussing out, making a threat through a wall (not face-to-face), laughing at another kid that’s taking their 5, or if they make a smart-alit response. Personally, this is a good idea to make the juveniles tell the guards why they had to take their timeouts, and if they don’t say why or say it rudely, they have to take another 5. No matter what, the kids have to take their 5-minute timeout, no matter how hard they try to avoid it. At night, the kids enter a quad and join in a group talk to talk about things that will help them in their stay at the detention center. During the activity, they had to express what they thought was either a rational or irrational thought. They had to tell the difference to whether it healthy or not, and had to explain why they thought if it was right to them or not. In example, one kid said that sorrow was a good thing, because that naturally, we can feel sorrow and we learn from it as we go on. There’s 3 different types of levels for the kids’ type of behaviors. Level 3 is the best group behavior model in the levels. They wear orange shirts and although it is earned, they receive extra benefits compared to the other levels. Level 2 has green shirts, they have some freedoms, but not as much as the orange level. They can use earned “coupons” to get extra benefits like playing a video game, or getting candy. Lastly, the level 1 group has the more experience in behavior problems. They are the ones that act out and receive more timeouts then the others. They don’t get extra activities and they have an earlier curfew unlike the other groups. The guards said that the juvie encourages visits per state law, regarding 2 visits a week. However, they do encourage the parents to come every day to see their child.
ReplyDelete- JiminyxC002, AW002
We agree that the kids should have to express that they understand why they got punished. It helps them grow as an individual and will hopefully deter them from further criminal activity when they are released. We also thought it was funny that one of the benefits for orange shirts was to get to play PS3 but the green shirts only get to play PS2.
Delete-DTH004 -CMB93004
We definitely agree that it was nice seeing the guards and workers treating the children with respect and vise versa. We didn't really see any of the kids disrespecting the guards, which goes to show that these disciplinary actions and incentives really are working. The coupons are a great way for the kids to earn privileges and also feel a sense of pride because they know they've behaved appropriately and will get rewarded for it. It was nice to see the older kid that came around and shook everyone's hand. -chillato004, Gators004
DeleteWe found the tour of JDC was very informational. The first stop of the tour was the control room, it seemed like a very official set up that they had inside the center. It was a very orginized system for anyone coming in and out of the facility. Also the standards they hold to their employees makes for very good work ethics out of the employees in general. The next place we toured was the intake area. This area was a non-threating area for the kids. They sit them down and ask them questions about health and mental health status also allow them to shower before going back to the pods. We were also showed the clock in/ clock out system among the staff. The orginized system made it fast and efficient for staff to make it to their post on time. The emphisis of being on time was stressed which made for an efficient group of employees. As far as medical goes it is a very good system in place that were seen with in a 24 hour time spand and medical attention can not be refused at all. The fact that they provide them the quality of education as if they were on the outside still was great. The classrooms were small and had actual teachers from the district to come in and teach these kids. What stood out was their coupon system. It was a way for the staff and the inmates to hold themselves accountable for their actions and helps with them with identifying problems that they need to work on to earn the things like games, cards, and free time. Also another thing that stood out was the way dicipline was handled. They used a "time out" type of point system where if the the kid is being a butt they are made to stand at the wall for 5 mins and if they continue to show that type of behavior then they go to a 30min/ 5 min time out. Another thing that had alot of emphisis was that these kids are here to be rehabilitated so it is not like a typlical jail where you are left sitting. Trying to rehibilitate them first seems like the logical thing to so first so that it shows these kids that they have more potential than they give themselves credit for that they are also not destined to a life of crime. OKC002 and Ciaccio002
ReplyDeleteWe agree that it was a very informal visit and that we learned quite a bit from it. We thought that the coupon system was good for the smaller kids but for the bigger kids they should get a more realistic deal. One thing along with that was how if they wanted to pay for something they had to use their own coupons. Rocker002 JE002
DeleteWe agree, the tour was very informative. We also thought that the non hostile environment you spoke of is a very good part of the center, as it helps the rehabilitation process for the kids. We are glad we got to experience this and feel like it will help us in our futures. zmw002 and oasis002
DeleteOne of the many surprising aspects of the juvenile center was the fact that they use a score in system based on what you did to get into that place. Another thing was that it was very school like. The halls and classrooms were very child friendly and odd for kids that are in there for crimes as serious as murder. We also thought that it was odd for them to only have up to forty something kids when the facility can hold up to sixty. One thing that we both thought was a good part of the trip was that they had little social groups set up to help the children learn different social skills and to help them get rehabilitated back into the real world. We both agree that going to the jail will be a much different experience compared to the juvenile. We both think that the lack of self protection was kind of surprising. The aspect of the business casual uniforms was odd. You would think you would want the kids to see real uniforms to kind of open their eyes to see that this is a real facility and it is real life. The reward system was a more lightening part of the tour. If those kids get used to that system of doing good and getting rewarded then it might not translate to the real world. So we think maybe they should tweek that a bit. The average kid is in there for around twenty days or so which we both think is a little odd unless it is for the kids that really didn't do anything that bad. Now the kid that was in there for 630ish days I wanna know what he did. The goal aspect outside of their rooms was good but instead of kids deciding whether they want to or not they should make every kid set a goal to work twords that goal and get out of there as soon as possible. The way they get visitation every night. I feel as though it is harder for the parent than it is for the child. The aspect that they have to eat prison food instead of kid food was good. That should be a taste of what prison is really like. Some of the kids seemed to have a strong relationship with the people that work there where as in a prison or jail they would not have that same relationship. Rocker002 JE002
ReplyDeleteI really liked the way the discipline was done at the juvenile facility. It was not too harsh, just a simple five minute stand at the wall timeout. I also liked how there was almost like a mini school at the facility so the juveniles still had some type of access to education and perhaps some form of rehab. The juveniles in this facility are granted certain privileges. These privileges include receiving coupons for good behavior, being able to play video games, and watch movies. I did not really like how some of the privileges included such as being able to watch movies and play video games. I feel like that is basically just like grounding your child but still allowing them to have their normal privileges. I feel that the juveniles in there for more severe crimes, such as murder, should be in a different facility. Maybe even the jail because they would be a big risk to the other kids that are in there for lesser offenses. The staff there wears street clothes and not uniforms which I really liked because this shows the juveniles that the staff is there to help them and to mentor them so they can have a role model to look up to. It is less intimidating for the children in a way to see the staff as 'normal' people and not just people in a typical uniform who only want to punish them. I also really liked the idea of how the staff interacted with the kids, teaching them what is good behavior and what is not good behavior. I felt that this helps to teach the kids that they are not bad kids. They are good kids who maybe just got caught up in the heat of the moment or made a few bad choices. One thing that I did not really like was how small the gym was. There is not hardly any room for the kids to be able play and run around. I think it would be a good idea to let the kids be able to go outside every once and a while. There should also be a bigger common area so that way the risks of fights are reduced. This might not totally eliminate fighting, but it could at least help to reduce it. I like how there was suicide prevention program put in place to help out the juveniles. I'm not sure that I like the idea of 'color coding' the juveniles based on their behavior. Having a doctor on call is another part that I really liked. Parents who have children locked up in the juvenile facility can have a peace of mind knowing their child is still going to receive medical care. CAE002 Addelle002
ReplyDeleteWe thought that the detention center would be a lot harder on the residents. We expected harder punishments, yelling, more like a jail. Instead of being like a jail, the guide explained that it's more like a rehabilitation place. We enjoyed how the rehabilitation classes helped the residents more than just punishing them and making them learn their lesson. It helped them understand what is wrong and how to get help from their mistakes. We enjoyed that instead of calling the kids inmates, they called them residents. The employees had a relationship with most of the residents rather than just being rude and telling them what to do all the time. The guided explained how having a relationship with them will make things easier by them listening more and behaving the way they should instead of acting out. The employees also dressed casual by having a collared shirt and jeans. I think it would help them develop relationships with the residents instead of just looking like you're a guard and could put them in their place at any minute. I couldn't begin to wrap my head around some of the ages of the kids there. There's 12 year old kids sitting in a juvenile detention center instead of enjoying their life as a kid like we did. They can't go outside and hangout with their friends, or go eat dinner with their families. Instead of being a kid, they're being told when to shower, eat, and they're in therapy groups. We enjoyed learning that the residents still were able to go to school and have an education. The guide said how Limestone teachers come into the detention center and teach classes four days a week and throughout the summer. Classes ranged from history, art, and anger management.
ReplyDeleteWalking down the hallways of the facility, there were sayings and pictures on the walls. They had positive sayings for the residents to see, instead of just blank gray walls. Walking down the hallways I felt like I was in a school hallway with the positive sayings and art hanging through out the building. It didn't feel like it would be a detention center, having blank gray walls and seeing the kids with their heads down. It was nice seeing the residents participating in their group instead of not caring and showing off. Along with classes, the tour guide explained how almost every resident has something wrong with them. Instead of making them feel different, they do individual therapy with the residents to help them understand. In conclusion, the detention center had more of a warm feeling instead of a cold hard jail cell. It showed they get help and they don't need to go back and forth like someone would in jail. stlblues002 and Steve002
while visiting the detention center, we really enjoyed how there was levels for the residents that give them incentives to actually want to behave. for instance... lvl 1 they have to go to their cell at 8:15 and also had bare minimum essentials. lvl 2-3 had to go to bed at 9 or 10 and also were given privileges such as TV, play station and commissary. when the residents first arrive, they are given a shower, finger printing, and also a mental wellness exam.
ReplyDeleteThe atmosphere was more like a school and also like a rehabilitation center that focused more on getting better rather than punishment.
The cell the residents had to sleep in were more similar to a regular jail cell, almost like solitary confinement.
The guards wanted to build relationships with the kids to almost make the residents more comfortable instead of making them feel intimidated. If the residents mistreated someone, or cursed at them, they were issued wall time, which is basically a time out. You can almost get a feeling that the kids wanted to learn because they were all carrying books. Another saying that was really popular throughout the building was AFROG which stands for Alive,Feeling,Reality,Others,Goals. One thing that stood out to me was a boy who got out of his chair to meet and greet everyone who was visiting the center. If the residents are on good behavior, the are allotted 15 min phone calls and visitation. overall i believe that it is a great facility and would be a great opportunity for anyone with a 4 year degree! and the coolest thing is that it doesn't have to be in criminal justice.. they welcome any sort of degree which helps with different skills throughout the facility. I would definetly enjoy going again and learn more and more as i go along in my criminal justice career.
Camvilla002, aaap-cougs002
The tour of the juvenile detention facility was very interesting and informative. We got to go into the facility and see firsthand the routines and activities that the kids participate in. The detention center was right next to the county jail and was smaller in size. The guards did not look like guards. They did not wear uniforms and did not carry guns. They wore casual looking clothes and had a radio. In the building, there were various paintings and posters on walls that had inspiring quotes to lift the spirits of the delinquents. These decorations combined with the casual dressing of the guards helped to make a very non hostile environment in the building. This non hostile environment led to a very school-like atmosphere. The whole place is focused on rehabilitating the kids rather than punishing them, and this is helped by focus groups. Every week, there are twenty eight focus groups that are held in order to help the rehabilitation process. They focus on building social skills, anger management, and other various life skills children will need in the real world. However, the kids participating in the focus group we witnessed seemed to lack cognitive development. Besides sleeping, the best kids are only in their cells sixty five minutes a day, whereas other kids may be stuck in their cells for a few hours. Unlike an actual prison, the detention center has visitations every night so that relatives of delinquents may visit with them. There is no plexi glass between them so they can make physical contact. The kids always have goals to achieve, among these goals is a tier system. The kids will want to climb the tier system in order to get better benefits and rewards. This system is organized by shirts. Blue shirts is tier one. They are the basic shirt that kids start out on and have very few benefits. The second is green shirts. Green shirts have more benefits than blue shirts, but not quite as much as the last tier, the orange shirts. These kids get more TV and video game time, they could stay up later, had less times in their rooms, and much, much more. It has proven easy for kids to climb through the tiers, but has been difficult to hold that spot. On average, kids stay in the detention center for twenty two days, and the longest stay has been six hundred thirty four days. zmw002 and oasis002
ReplyDeleteIn my own opinion the discipline system at the juvenile detention center was great they were more rehabilitative towards the kids and I think that is what helps them stay in the community and learn something from every bad action in the past. The coupon system was pretty good it was a huge incentive for good behavior. The coupon system helps them understand what they did wrong, and learn how to have better behavior. Staff that interacted with the kids seemed like they knew a lot about Juvenile delinquency and they seemed like they have been through those kids shoes and understand them. I always know when a person seems like they know a lot about what someone else has gone through. One thing I disliked though was that the kids could not go outside which isn't very healthy because people should go outside especially kids, the jail next door at least had a place to go outside for the adults. I just think it was more like a rehab center with a nice gym and nice school and also a cafeteria. That would not be very good for a child who committed a worse crime but it helps the kids understand that they are not going to be there forever. One thing that probably would not be suitable or rewarding for them is video games and TV, because it defeats the whole purpose that kids there need to learn about their behavior and they should not want to stay in a detention center its for them to eventually soon get out and behave out in the community.
ReplyDeleteOne part of the prison policy forced the staff to treat each individual child as the same. Staff members were not necessarily informed about the actions or lives of the children that are entered into the system. Although this can be good, some cons follow as well. Not knowing anything about the child can help to reduce biases from the staff members and help all the children realize that maybe they aren't the worst people on the planet. But at the same time this can cause some children to be exposed to worse children, possible hindering their rehabilitation progress.
The building itself did not feel like a prison and I feel like this was a good thing. The only rooms that really felt like a detention center were the cells, which were bare. A simple, small room with a toilet and a cot. The rest of the building was obviously tailored towards helping the children feel like their new home was not really a prison for life, but rather a center to teach them right from wrong without instilling the hardships generally accompanied within prison systems.
The children in the detention center were really well cared for, which is definitely a plus for parents and children alike. With a visiting room, parents would get the chance to see their child and hug them. And with doctors and other care professionals always on call, the children were generally safe from illness and other various injuries. - AJC002
We all three really enjoyed the juvenile detention center tour. It’s hard to believe that kids this young would commit such bad crimes. We really like how it was treated more as a rehabilitation center and not a jai, makes it feel more at “home” for the kids. They also called the kids there residents instead of prisoners which makes it seem like they are more cared for than most people who committed crimes. It was also really nice to see that there was church volunteers there to be able to practice religion while being detained. I also found it interesting that they schooling there was so relaxed, they get there work and they complete it, being able to graduate on time. The ranking system was also really cool, how they are able to move up in ranks and get more privileges. Also very nice that they allow visitors every day and they don’t limit the visitations to certain days of the week. Really liked the screening system to being entered in the system, helps them reduce the risk of someone being hurt. DIdn’t really like that there was no outside time, maybe adding a fenced in area would help with getting fresh air. I liked that they ate three times a day and they have to meet certain fresh fruit and calories met in a day. Also really liked how if they kid refused to eat they would get medical attention because they need the calories. It was also really nice to see all of the murals on the wall that the kids were able to draw. Really liked the screening process that they had to even have to get into the center, you can’t really get in if you don’t do a serious enough offence. Also liked how they weren’t dressed like cops and they had no weapons on them which made it feel more like a respect level. Liked how you could work there with any four year degree and how it can help you move up into the ranks of the criminal justice system. They average stay there was roughly 22 days but there was some kids days who was there for over a year, and go straight into the jail once they turn 18. KT002 Oregon002 Haggard002
ReplyDeleteTo our suprise we really Enjoyed the juvenile tour as well. When we first walked in and saw that very small boy we had to ask what the age range was because he looked like a baby still! We were shocked to see that first off and to know that kids as young as ten can be in there. We also that it was crazy that the tour guide said they are more likely to be attacked by a ten year old than a kid that about 15-16 years old. He also said the younger kids come in like they are big and bad because they think they are cool and want to fit in. We also liked that they allowed visitors everyday. When they are kids its important for them to know they are loved by their family everyday when they come and visit them as often as they can. RueTootie004 and mznurse004
DeleteI was really impressed by the juvenile detention center. Ken was our guide and he showed us lots of things that I didn't know. I enjoyed the scoring process I knew that there was some sort of process for kids to be let into juvenile detiontion but didn't know you needed to be scored in, or that stealing a car doesn't get you in. Also seeing and learning about the limestone teachers who really want to teach there and help the kids was very touching. Listening to the different kids talk in the group really told how the kids seemed very intelligent and spoke to the need for structure in their lives. My heart really went out to a lot of the kids in the facility because of the age of my step daughter it was really sad. It also invoked me to maybe appl y for a job because it seems like a very rewarding position to have. Dadoftwo001
ReplyDeleteThese kids are so young, and I knew that going in but it still surprised me how young some of them were, the most trouble I was getting into when I was their age was not making my bed or not washing off my plate after dinner, it’s a harsh reality but I think facilities like this I feel give the juveniles a shock at what there life might be like if they continue down a bad path, but also giving them the education and role models that they need to move on from the wrong that they did and start working towards a brighter future. -NOsaints003
DeleteThey definitely have a pretty good rehabilitation programs within the facility. Their education programs is really good, they have actual teachers coming to the facility to help out was pretty smart idea. The limestone teacher was willing to help out the kids, which would give the kids a better education when they are reintroduced into the society. Many of those kids are not bad people, they might have done something accidentally do something stupid and ended up in the facility, but by no means they are bad people. It is quite nice to see the facility actually worked so hard to keep the kid's future as priority. JZ003
DeleteA couple semesters ago I took a tour at the Peoria County Jail so when the opportunity came up to take a tour of the Juvenile Detention Center, I was excited to see what kind of differences there would be between the two. There are the blatant differences like how the goal is more to habilitate these juveniles while at the prison there really is not much of that going on and how the Juvenile Detention center felt much more homey, or more like a school while the prison is very cold gloomy compared. What I liked most about our tour was how much our guide was more of a father figure then an officer keeping these kids locked up. I know that is the goal of their jobs but it was very interesting to see the difference from how the adults are treated. I did expect it to be a lot different but not to the level as a father figure to them. In order to work in this side of the criminal justice system you have to really be in touch with you compassionate side but at the same time be stern enough to let the juveniles know that you mean business when they start acting up. Another thing I liked was how they encouraged good behavior from the kids. It is really ingenious ideas such as the coupons to buy additional condiments or candy to go with their meals as a short-term prize for their cooperation, and then they had the different shirt colors for them to have extra privileges as more of a long-term goal to work up to and to stay at that status. All in all I was very pleased that I was able to see the more compassionate side of the corrections system. -NOsaints003
ReplyDeleteYes, we were very excited to see the way in which things were ran. The guide even shared a story with us, one of the young men experienced a hard death and felt he needed to talk with Ken and he went and spoke with the young man and comforted him. That small gesture is meant everything to that young man. these are the type of individuals we need working in these environments. Little things like this is the difference between these kids returning or living law abiding lives after. The amount of caring that is showed was nice to see.
Delete-mysonmyworld004
-lilcakes004
Between the County and JDC they are very much different from each other. Having that father figure for the residents is really awesome. Giving the residents something to achieve if the do good is a great tool to use to keep them on track with getting their life back. Since the staff there only have radios and handcuffs, it is very important for you to build your communication skills and thick skin. To let them know when your being serious and when your not.-K9003
DeleteWe thought that it was shocking that the kids had to “pay” for everything that they wanted using coupons that they received for good behavior. Our tour guide told us that they could receive coupons for anything from following directions or doing well in school. They had to buy items that most of would take for granted like mustard or ketchup for a hotdog. The children also had a ranking system based on their behavior that was quantified by the color shirt they were wearing. Starting at blue on the bottom, progressing to green, and then culminating in orange. 80% for blue shirts, 85% for green and then 95% for orange shirts. The kids would lose percentage points for misbehaving. The also received punishments including a five minute time out, depending on the severity of the bad behavior they could also receive a thirty minute time out in their room, without their personal belongings. The most severe punishment was a thirty thirty five, which was two back to back thirty minute time outs followed by a five minute one. A pod housed the bigger kids, B the ones in the middle, and C pod was the one with the smallest children. We got to view C pod while they were doing a group activity. They went around in a circle and talked about rational and irrational thoughts. One would say an irrational thought like I am not going to succeed in life, and then the next kid would say something like, I might have to try harder to succeed. After we watched the group activity we got to meet one of the kids wearing an orange shirt named Ryan. Our tour guide told us that they try to teach the kids how to properly interact with others, so Ryan walked around and introduced himself to all of us with a handshake. We both would say that it is not somewhere we would enjoy being as a child, even though some of those kids probably have a better life inside the detention center than outside of it. I was shocked that the one kid that was having visiting time was so young. He was visiting with his mother and looked like he was 10 years old, which is what our tour guide told us was the minimum age the detention center takes in. I thought it was interesting that they graded kids based on their offense. They had to score a ten or higher, and if they did the police would then bring the juvenile to the detention center.
ReplyDelete-DTH004 –CMB93004
We enjoyed knowing that that children can earn coupons for good behavior. It was interesting to learn that ketchup is something that needs to be purchased with the good behavior coupons. If anyone has eaten a plain hotdog then it makes sense that certainly, even the most defiant child, would have the motivation to earn one coupon for ketchup, right? This structure is important because it teaches children that good behavior has a positive effect on just about everything. If you want some candy, you earn that treat. If you want some ketchup or mustard, you earn it. If you want anything out of life, you earn it. Sometimes earning those treats or privileges is hard. ~DwDrums004 and ~happilycurious004
DeleteGoing to the juvenile detention center showed me what it’s like for children who are residents there. I’ve been twice and seen different things each time. Both times, I’ve seen children visiting with family members and both times I’ve also seen the children out in the day room doing group therapy. I remember before the first time I went, I thought it would be boring and plain inside the detention center. I was surprised to see that there are many paintings and positive sayings on the walls. I think it’s a good idea to give the children positive reinforcement because they may not get much positivity when they’re at home. In the cafeteria, there are only allowed to be 24 residents at a given time. I think this is a good idea because 24 children are easier to maintain control of than 50 children. I also think it’s a great idea that the children still get to go to school and have a somewhat personal relationship with the staff members. While there, both times I’ve seen children get excited to see some of the staff. I think this shows how well the staff treats the children. It also shows that the staff actually cares about the residents there and that they’re not just there for a paycheck. As I’ve seen before, it doesn’t seem like there is a whole lot to do as a resident there, but that could just be because of the time of day we were there visiting. I found the experience at the Juvenile Detention Center very interesting and informative. It was really neat to see how these people live and go about their daily lives. It was also refreshing in a way to see how these children are treated. The individuals that worked there really seemed to care about the well being of these kids and helping them in any way they possibly can. I thought it was great to know that so many efforts have been made to create more programs for these kids throughout the day. It's crazy to think that just a couple years ago, these kids were being confined to their rooms as punishment for 24 hours a day, up to a week at a time. That's just insane. Isolation is not healthy for anyone, especially young minds that have so much potential. I was glad to see that they still go to school, have physical education classes and are able to express themselves. I thought that the coupon system was smart and seemed to have a lot of positive impacts. Rewarding these kids and praising them when they behave appropriately is much more constructive for their future than continuously punishing them and bringing them down. It goes without a doubt that a little support and caring can go a very long way. -chillato004, Gators004
ReplyDeleteThe Juvenile detention center was very interesting experience. We thought it was a great educational experience. We were not expecting the kids to be in school full time. We were blown away that they actually had classrooms and gyms. Also we found it very neat that they had drawing and posters that the kids made hung up on the walls. It made it feel more like a school and more homey. It really took away from the jail-like feeling. We were surprised all around at the appearance. It was not what we had expected. We were expecting a cold dark environment, so we were very pleased to see those pictures and words of encouragement all over and happy fun colors in the gym and class room. Another thing we did not expect was that the kids can have parents visit them every day and that the kids have group interactions. We found the staff to be very friendly and you could tell that they really cared for the kids and really wanted the best outcome for them. At one point the tour guide mentioned that they try to give the kids every opportunity to work on their social skills, then he had one of the kids come around to every single person and shake hands with us and introduce himself. It really made us see the kids as kids and not criminals and that no matter what crime they may have committed or what they had been through there is always an opportunity for them to turn their lives around. Another thing we were not expecting was that they had a ticket system and a shirt color system. These systems helped the kids work for privileges. They had to earn it if they wanted something special such as phone calls and snacks. With these systems the kids were able to make their own decisions that would become either a positive or negative outcome based on the choice they make. The negative outcome would either to be sent to a time out or go down a shirt color. The systems also gave the kids something to look forward to and something to work for and be proud of. Another thing we learned was that the girls cause more trouble than the boys. The girls have a lot more fights and drama that cause issues within the “clicks”. Overall we were pleased that we attended the tour. It was not what we expected and in a positive way. We left feeling like when its time for those kids to leave the facility they will have bettered themselves and will change their lives for the better. RueTootie004 and mznurse004
ReplyDeleteThe experience was very exciting and very different than my first experience. Both my partner and my self-loved the idea that they are more of a constructive form of rehabilitation rather than a jail like atmosphere. They help them learn what cause them to end up there rather than just tell them you messed up and now you’re stuck. They give them opportunity to learn and better themselves. They offer classrooms and school settings to keep them on the right path. They give them ample opportunities to grow even within the program itself. The guards do not carry weapons and try to refrain from force if they can. They try to build relationships when they can. My guide was very emotional when speaking of the children. He has become very active in the lives of these young men and women. When given the opportunity to work for such a place it is very important that the individuals in these environments also care about these kids. In my partner’s tour, she sat and watched a group meeting and how they interact with the juveniles. Another great thing was they showed us one of the interaction methods used when meeting new people and a juvenile came around and made great eye contact and shook everyone in our groups hands. They are offered incentive programs like the coupons, shirts and extra time to do what they like. It is really a caring atmosphere and the idea that some truly don’t want to leave is very understanding at times. It is not that they are problem children but they have problems in their lives. The fact that they encourage families to visit is a great way to keep or build a bond. I could imagine that for most of the children they miss their family even if their home life isn’t the greatest. Even though it isn’t jail or prison the bunks are constructed the same way and the food is provided and made from the jail. These are some of the similarities but for the most part this institution is completely opposite. There is a much more nurturing undertone than I believe one would feel in jail or prison. In my tour they young ladies were cutting up and laughing and joking, I did not see that with the young men in the group. This makes complete sense as young ladies tend to seek attention more. Often times boys and girls act out defiantly for attention. Our guide mentioned that some seek it in a physical restraint way and others in an outcry way. Overall, this was a very real experience. I enjoy seeing the caring manner in which it is being ran. The amount of effort given to these kids can make the difference where they are in 10 years.
ReplyDelete-mysonmyworld004
-lilcakes004
I agree, I love how they are trying o be more constructive and help the kids advance in life and try not to fall in to a life of crime. It was very nice to see the guide get emotional about the kids, its nice to see they form personal connections with the kids and get involved in their lives. JDM004 Kitsune004
DeleteGoing to the juvenile Detention facility was real eye opener for me. We earned the facility through the visitor entrance. They have us leave our stuff in the boxes to prevent us from giving inmates contraband. we also went through a metal detector, which was really weak because it did not detect my rings and metal in my mouth. Every visitor would go through this process and receive a pat down. A prisoner would go through a different process. They were in hand cuffs when coming in. We learned that anyone under the age of ten are sent to a different facility. When they were in the facility they were more likely to be in there longer or more likely to come back. When they are admitted they are told to take a shower, instead of a cavity search. They check the vitals and distinctions like tattoos, sexuality, and allergies. The inmate is also asked multiple questions to see if they are more likely to complete suicide. If they are more likely to complete suicide they are put in a certain room and checked every four minutes. Also to prevent spread infection they received certain vaccines. Something that surprised me was that a dentist comes once a month to check on their teeth. the one thing that first stood out to me was the fact that they do not call it a jail they call it a detention center and they also refer to them as just kids and not inmates. I also really like how they had a reward system so that the kids could buy things if they earned them throughout the week. this shows to me that they are teaching them basically that if there good they can reward themselves with some type of treat. I thought it was interesting how they had the shirt system that ranked them on how their behavior was. this gives them something to work for and teaches them work ethic and also if they are not good then they cant play kids or eat certain extra food like candy or snacks. i liked how the faculty members actually showed like they cared about the kids and were trying to be more like guidance counselors then prison guards. I thought it was crazy how if the kid steals a car he or she will not be admitted, but one thing that is a guaranteed admittance is if they hit a parent or officer. JDM004 Kitsune004
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the tour at the Juvenile Detention Center. It was very informative. The first thing that I learned was that there was a point system for children to actually be admitted into the facility. The highest score is ten, which it was stressed that if a child strike a parent or officer, it would be an automatic admission into the center. Each child has their own score which allows the staff to know the capabilities of a child. The next thing that we saw was the intake. I felt afraid for the kids knowing that they came in the facility in handcuffs, also the fact that they were patted down, showered and examined. During the psychological exam, the child talked one-on-one with the faculty member to determine whether the child was on drugs, pregnant, sexuall orientation, and overall their physical and mental state. Also, during the tour, we also learned that there was a point system that the children had to abide by in order to receive privileges; the color orange t-shirt were the highest rank, which means that they were able to have many privileges that were available to them. In addition to that, there was also grey and blue. The grey t-shirt was the second highest rank and then blue being the lowest. Furthermore, the facility was very well structured with a small visitation room with parents and other family members. The visitation availability for the residents is based off of their behavior modification program. During visiting hours, the residents were allowed to have one 20ounce plastic bottled drink during visits. The bottle must have original seal intact. Attorneys and probation officers may visit at any time. Others such as; teachers, pastors caseworkers, clergy counselor and school staff may visit with prior approval from a parent. Moreover, the dining area seats twelve on each side with a total of 24. Staff is aware of all food allergies and more. The residents also had a recreational area where they all were sitting in a group, each having the chance to speak an irrational and rational statements. Later, the tour took the group into the area where the residents sleep. The girls were on one side and the boys were on the other. In the individual's separate room, they had a concrete slab to sleep on, a toilet, and only a few blankets. In the warm seasons, the resident only gets two blankets and in the cold seasons, the resident gets three blankets. Overall, the tour was informative and educational. -MyBoys004 -Happy004
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you would be afraid for the kids since they are brought in with handcuffs. However I can see the reason why they need to be brought in with handcuffs. Some of these juveniles are not there for minor crimes. Some of them are there for crimes like murder and armed robbery. It is for the safety of the juvenile and officers to have them brought in with handcuffs. No one is certain what the juvenile may or may not have on them. It is easy for them to conceal things away from the officers that brings them in. it is all just for safety purposes. What I though was crazy was that when a child is placed on suicide was put in one of the side rooms. They needed to be checked every 4 minutes. The person who has to monitor them was the officer in the control room and they had many other task. Seems like the person in the control room might be over worked with a lot of responsibility of deciding who comes in and opening doors for people. Max003
DeleteI really liked the tour of the juvenile detention center. The staff there seemed really informative of everything. This was my first visit of the juvenile detention center. From the outside I thought the place would be a lot bigger than what I saw. The inside of the building seemed really nice and well kept. I was amazed that the person who was running the central control room also had to answer the calls for the police to bring a juvenile in. on top of answering the phone calls they had to go through a sheet to decide if the officer had to bring a child in. The intake of the juvenile detention center was much different than that of the jails. There was no intake officer present at all times in the jail and if a juvenile was placed in the side room they would be monitored by the Peron who I in the control room. What I did not hear anything about and forgot to ask about was how many juveniles were brought in for status offense rather than just criminal offenses. I also learned that this is the only juvenile detention center in the area and that they do take children from other counties as well as some from Springfield. From what I saw it did seem kind of like a children home type of feel. There was painting on the walls which seemed more of a child’s area. I really thought it would be all black in white like the jail. The pod officers really seemed to have that one on one connection with each of the children. That really showed to me that each counselor really cared about the children and their jobs. The pod set up seemed very different to me. I expected high ceilings and an open area, I was wrong. The children were divided up into small blocks with 6 or 7 cells in each block. They had their own little day room and shared a bigger common area with a TV and game systems. After all I had seem it looked like a well-kept place with counselors that knew what they were doing. Max003
ReplyDeleteUpon discussion of the Juvenile Detention Center tour, my blog partner and I were very impressed with the demeanor of not only the staff, but the children as well. When first entering the building, it was noted that there were positive sayings on the wall and artwork hanging in the lobby. The exact words I on the wall I cannot recall, however it was something to the effect of ‘I have made mistakes in the past and tomorrow is a new day.’ This saying seemed to set the tone of the facility, in that these children need to know that tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning. Throughout the building there were encouraging words such as ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ and tons of artwork (hand drawings of dinosaurs, frogs, etc). It was very touching to see that while this is a detention center, it is very child centered.
ReplyDeleteWe appreciated hearing about the processes in place to ensure that the children were kept safe during their time at the detention center. From the time the children enter the building until the time they leave the building, keeping them safe is the number one concern of the staff members. We liked hearing that there were scripted procedures in place when moving the children within the building. The staff guide made mention that children are never left unattended when transitioning from one area to the next or when they are in a shared space within the building.
The staff appeared quite happy, despite their physically, mentally and emotionally demanding roles. They all seem to be in it for the children. One staff member said that he would take some of the children home if he could. While the staff maintains the structure of the disciplinary program, they still understand that these children should be treated with respect and kindness.
The children appeared to be very content as well. They were smiling and interacting positively with each other. We saw a group activity involving irrational thoughts and rational thoughts. A lot of their comments had to do with ‘being good enough’ to go to college or play sports. It was unbelievably heartwarming to see the children turn a negative comment into a positive comment. It was also nice to see the children helping each other and just hanging out.
It is ironic to think that these children are considered deviant in society, however, within the walls of the Juvenile Detention Center, they are just kids. ~DwDrums004 and ~happilycurious004
My partner and I sat down to discuss the assignment and decided not to talk about the tour exactly but the impact it had on us personally. We were not expecting the atmosphere of the place. It was surrounded by positivity and growth instead of negativity and being imprisoned like we were expecting. One of the most impactful things was seeing some of the kids spend time with their family. We could not even imagine being a kid and not getting to go home with your parents. In some instance that is probably a good thing for most of those kids because of the unstable home environment. Though, they are always your parents and family and somehow you always love them no matter how negative they can be. The effect the detention center had on us was intense. Being allowed to see the kids in a vulnerable setting talking about their rational and irrational thoughts was heartbreaking. I guess we all have negative thoughts that eat away at us, but seeing those kids in that situation and their story, their problems by just looking at them was something we will never forget. In this structured environment you could see the kids actually being kids. You could tell they felt important. They felt like they were worth something. Their voice was finally heard and growing up all you want is to be loved and to feel important because you are important. It is so sad that kids from all the age groups come in here and feel like they either need to kill themselves or feel like they need to try to receive that attention. The man who gave us the tour was extremely passionate about his profession. You could tell it was not just a job to him. It was his life. All these kids were his kids. They were put in his care and he did not take that lightly. I guess that is what we all strive to do something that can impact society in a positive way. To hear Ryan’s story was inspiring. To see a boy who had so much loss in his life that came there for some reason growing into a gentleman was wonderful to see. Going to the detention center was very eye opening. We appreciate the opportunity and have a different perspective on the criminal justice system. BabyB004 and April
ReplyDeleteTouring J.D.C. was really fun. It was my second time going and every time I go I learn new things. The first time I went they really didn't talk to much about the 5 minute time out and the 30, 35 timeout. So that was really interesting to find out that if they want to act like little kids and do stupid things they should get punished like little kids. Hearing that they had an incident with a resident and staff members, shocked me because the guy said that "it hasn't been a serious incident like this one for 10 years." Which means that they are really good at what they do, to keep bad events from happening. Another interesting thing I found out was that their facility operates out of two blocks instead of 3 blocks. Having talk about what they need to do to get them back on the right track and making goals for them selves is really cool. I think in some kind of way having the little kids in C block coed is actually kind of clever because having the little boy residents with the girls, makes them feel safe, as if the mom would. But overall it ended up being exactly like I thought it would.-K9003
ReplyDeleteThis was my second time at the JDC as well, and I agree it is interesting every time and there is always something new to learn. One new thing that I learned on this visit was that they offer visitors every night of the week even though they are only required by the state to allow visitors two nights a week. I though that this was great because it allows the residents to be able to see their parents more often. 7point62001
DeleteThis was my third tour going on and I still find another thing that I don’t not remember from the past two tours. It is a great refresher on what their focus is for these kid’s when they are dealing with them on a regular basis when coming to the facility. They are treating these kids with the most respect that they can possibly can because they don’t want these kids to feel like that they are at a boot camp or military school. Even though these kids don’t want to listen to the rules that they must follow, but it is to help these kids understand that a life of crime will not get them anywhere, but going next door to sit in another cell must follow even more stricter rules and regulation’s because they will not be treated the same as they were in the detention center. The one most interesting thing that I always catch when I take the tour is that only some of these kids are still at certain levels because it shows us as students who can be the most complicated or which kids are smarter than the other kids and are just trying to get out of detention as fast as possible. This facility isn’t here to torture these kids it is there so that they can learn from these mistakes and it is more of like a preview of what their future will look like if they keep continuing a life of crime starting at a young age. They provide the best programs for these kids and to make sure that they get the necessary needs that they deserve while in detention. Overall the tour was amazing and I am considering applying for an internship for the summer next year. GoodVibes003
ReplyDeleteI have toured this Juvenile Detention Facility twice, every time I visit this place, it always feels more like a school than a detention facility. The residents were actually really friendly, as we entered the facility, I saw a resident looking at my direction, and we just simply exchanged a head nod as a way to say hi, that was kind of cool, where I thought they would be a little more tense. During the tour, I noticed the beds that the residents are sleeping on, it can barley be called a bed. A piece of concrete with some what of padding on it, I personally hate sleeping on bed, but after seeing this I kind of feel bad for the residents. I think it was pretty cool that the residents are receiving proper educations, where the outside world can be pretty cruel, but within the facility, it felt a bit more peaceful. This facility is extremely clean and well organized through out, artistic drawings can be seen at every corner of this facility. They have the same lunch as the jail next door, so highly doubt its any good. During my first tour, I have seen the lunch they are given, and I can't say I'll ever want to eat it my self. The residents are given fruits as snacks for five days out of the week, which is good, because some fruits can boost their immune system. As we progressed into the Orange level residents, they seem like every day kids, but apparently there is always reasons for them to be there. The kids were just being kids, for a moment I felt as if I was in a school. As one of the orange level resident came to shake everyone's hands, there were no feeling of tension or unease, because after all he is just a kid. During the orange resident's lecture, one of the kid pushed a chair back too hard, creating a loud sound, all the guards looked at him in a way that was kind of, mean... He immediately felt ashamed, but those looks were something I felt unease about. The overall of the facility seems to do it's job quite well, the kids seems to have the proper rehabilitation's programs, and their main goal is to give the residents a second chance into the society. This tour was pretty fun, despite it being my second tour, it was still quite informative and unique in a way. JZ003
ReplyDeleteFrom the tour of the juvenile detention center it was obvious that their goal was to rehabilitate their residents. The residents here still go to school 4 days a week to continue their education, instead of just sitting in their cells. They also have small group sessions to help them. When we were there they were talking about different emotions, whether they were health or unhealthy, and explaining why. All of the residents were participating with this, most of them seemed like they ere having a good time. The take 5-punishment system was interesting to me. It seems unlikely that standing against a wall for five minutes would have a big impact on their behavior, but after having to do it a few time they realize it not worth it and their behavior improves. The three-tier system seemed like a good idea and appeared to be effective as well. Privileges such as a later bed times and video games are a great way to motivate teenagers to behave properly. I was surprised at how few hours residents spent in confinement each day. Keep their confinement time low helps to keep things less punitive. Allowing parent to come and visit every night is another positive characteristic of this facility. State regulations only require that two nights be available for visits, but the believe it is health for the residents to get visitors and parents are encouraged to visit frequently. The facilities current staff to resident ratio is currently 12:1. However an unfunded mandate from a new federal act will require a minimum ratio of 8:1. They will be the first facility in the stat to be compliant with the act, starting in January. 7point62001
ReplyDeleteThe juvenile detention center was a great tour and eye opener one how the juveniles are housed at the facility. from how big the outside looked the inside was relatively small. It was only a long hallway with all the pods off of the hallway. The intake was very small compared to how the intake is at the jail. There were only 4 side rooms to house the juveniles who were on suicide watch. What amazed me is the amount of time you had to check on a juvenile that was one suicide watch. The amount of time before you had to check on them again was 4 minutes. The person who had to check on them was the person in the control room. They had the most important job in the facility. They were in charge of opening the doors for people who didn’t have keys. Also, they were in charge of answering the calls from the officers and determining if a juvenile was to be brought in or released to their parents. They discussed with us that if a juvenile hits their parent they are automatically brought into the facility. The amount of time the resident stayed varied between each person. For a domestic battery they can have a stay of only a couple days whereas murder is until sentenced which can last up to a year or more. Going to the juvenile detention center showed me what it’s like for children who are residents there. I’ve been twice and seen different things each time. Both times, I’ve seen children visiting with family members and both times I’ve also seen the children out in the day room doing group therapy. I remember before the first time I went, I thought it would be boring and plain inside the detention center. I was surprised to see that there are many paintings and positive sayings on the walls. I think it’s a good idea to give the children positive reinforcement because they may not get much positivity when they’re at home. In the cafeteria, there are only allowed to be 24 residents at a given time. I think this is a good idea because 24 children are easier to maintain control of than 50 children. I also think it’s a great idea that the children still get to go to school and have a somewhat personal relationship with the staff members. While there, both times I’ve seen children get excited to see some of the staff. I think this shows how well the staff treats the children. It also shows that the staff actually cares about the residents there and that they’re not just there for a paycheck. As I’ve seen before, it doesn’t seem like there is a whole lot to do as a resident there, but that could just be because of the time of day we were there visiting. –Gators003, max003
ReplyDeleteWhen we walked through the control room the woman explained her job in good detail and showed us how much she had to do. I felt like she had too much to do. I think that the program "a-frog" was very beneficial to the children. The kids were discussing emotions and weather they were healthy, or not. The kids were scored on a level system and given certain privileges such as more visiting hours, ps4. They were taught to look at the mistakes they made and not label themselves as a criminal. They discuss their mistakes and outcomes and other ways they could've handles their problems. I think the punishment of standing in the corner would fit better for younger kids and not the older kids. I feel the punishment would belittle them and only add more anger and tension. The kids had a wonderful school set up. The classrooms were very colorful and fun, nothing like i expected them to be. The kids also had a very nice gym and many things to do while they're there. The man that ran our group talked about how he forgives the kids when they speak to him poorly, or hit him because its better not to hold grudges, rather just teach them appropriate ways to behave and handle their anger. They feed the kids the same food from the jail, it is just sent over and heated up. One of the kids was very polite. He came up to introduce himself, and you could clearly tell apart the kids who didn't care, to the kids who were using the program and benefiting from it. The kids attend school during normal hours. I think this specific facility was understaffed. chi003 tracker003
ReplyDeleteI like that rehabilitation was the main focus of the detention center, making sure that the juveniles minds are kept on their futures by making it a homey atmosphere rather than a menacing one, the guards are well versed in how to handle the kids in a less harsh manor but still being stern when need be, they are in school four days a week which also helps them when they get out, thus also keeping their minds on their future, the fact that actual teachers from schools such as limestone were really wanting to teach here shows that people really care about these kids.. They were able to visit with family on a daily base but were encouraged to keep good behavior otherwise they were not able to hug them. Another way they kept good behavior was two systems like the coupon system and t-shirt system. The coupon system was more of a in the moment encouragement by allowing them to get extra stuff on lunch for their food such as ketchup for their hotdogs or candy for after their meal. The T-shirt system was a privilege earned over time where they were able to work their way up to an orange shirt which gave them the ability to stay up later and play video games on a PlayStation 3. The juvenile we were introduced to was very polite and well behaved and really shows that the facility is doing a great job at giving these kids hope for their futures. The punishment system is well built by ranking how bad their behavior is. If they did something small they went on a 5 minute time out but not in any confinement, if they refused or did something worse they went on a 30 minutes time out in their cell and then returned to whatever area they were in to do their 5 minute time out. If there is any type of assault there was 60 minute time out in their cell and then would return to their area for the 5 minute time out. The officers that work at the facility really seemed to know what they were doing and how to handle the kids with only a 4 year requirement. The facility is low staffed right now, currently standing at 1-12 when they should be a 1-8. Over all I really learned a lot from visiting this facility. –Nosaints003 cowboys003
ReplyDeleteThe first step as you enter into J.D.C. the residents have to go through a intake process. This process consist of a full body search and going through a serious of questions, which determine the level of risk you are. After the intake process you then will be given a certain type of outfit to wear that classifies the type of resident you are. The outfits given are blue, pink, orange, and green. Depending on the age of the resident determines the type of resident block they will be placed in. I was impressed by how respectful they were to visitors and how they have a point system, that helps them buy extra items. Such as candy, books, and extra covers. What new thing I figured out is that they have a 5 minute time punishment, that is used to show residents the types of behavior is wrong. Once they finish with their 5 minutes they have to talk about why they were given the 5 minutes in the first place. I found out that the longer the residents stay in J.D.C. the more willing they are to go with the program and build that good relationship with the staff and other residents.-K9003/ RustyPete003
ReplyDeleteGoing to the juvenile detention center, was a good experience and should be made available for others more so kids. So that they can see what really goes on and could help with recidivism. We observed a lot of different things.Really enjoyed the part when we entered the day room and got to listen in on the group.. And how they were going through the rational and irrational thoughts. Also how the staff promotes communication skills with the residents. And encouraging communication with their peers, as well as staff. One of the things shocked us was that there was a boy that looked all of 12 in there and just made you think what the hell is he doing in here and where are his parents.. Did think the ticket system was a good fit for the center because it teaches them about budgeting because it is their currency,also gives them an opportunity to feel better about themselves because its an accomplishment. Didn't care for the closeness in the cafeteria, seems like it would leave room for more fights because of the closeness. Didn't think it was a very good idea to have a 12 year old with kids who are learning mid high school education ... MITHGHTS003 RW003
ReplyDeleteThe Juvenile Detention Center did not stigmatize the Residents, for example, the guards did not wear uniforms, there were no visible bars, no out door fencing topped with barbed wires. The entire facility appeared more like a school, they even had a school classroom, in which helps the kids to obtain GED and high school diploma. Kids were able to obtain adequate nutrition, like given fruits every five days out of the week. There seems have enough activities for the Residents to kill time with, for example they had a PS2 and PS3, checker board, and ping pong table. Within the facility there were no jail labels. Some of the well behaved residents had natural light coming through their cells, which would improve their mental health. The residents are given chances to bond and interact with their fellow residents. There were plenty of visitation chances, with their parents and etc. The facility offers great medical cares, for example they offer dental work, and are able to treat a resident on the spot. The guards seems to care very much for the residents, they view them as children and not inmates. The kids are given a second chance to get their lives straight. The residents were well behaved and are not angry towards the visitors.
ReplyDeleteThe residents have access to group counseling, a good example is when the orange level residents are getting together to discuss about what is positive and negative thoughts. The residents are taught with resilience, this would better help their chances when they are reintroduced back into the society. The facility teaches the residences social skills, preventing them from becoming anti social or unable to communicate with others. There were the reward system, they are given extra privileges for extra good behaviors. They were given coupons to use as currency within the facility. The coupons can be used to buy play time on gaming devices and comfort items, such as food, snacks, bedding, and etc. CoolGuy003, JupiorZ003
I agree that the juvenile detention center here in Peoria was not at all stigmatizing to the youth detained there. The staff are very respectful to the kids and have a genuine care for them. That alone can go a long in helping these kids. Not only are they given a second chance but are being taught by the staff there proper socialization skills, how to respect themselves as well as others, and helping them set goals. The incentives they have in place for the kids is great as well. These give the kids reasons to want to attain the goals set forth for them by the staff. Way to go Peoria County. They are geared toward rehabilitating the kids and not simply punishing them just as the juvenile justice system was meant to work. mommy001
DeleteWe enjoyed the tour very much. It showed us some inspiring inspiration from this facility. The time out sequence starts at 5 minutes then the supervisor ask the individual ask the delinquent why they were put in time out and if they respond negatively then they would have to sit in their room for 30 minutes and then after that 30 they have to do another 5 minutes and never get out until they give a correct response. Privileges system work depending on how they determine how obedient they are towards to the staff and others. They teach these kids good manners and how to approach other people with those manners. They are still required to go to the same amount of schooling as if they where not in the detention facility, but they go a little bit longer. Even though they are still juveniles they still are provided the least eligibility for juveniles that they still receive the same amount as adults. The group setting help's these kids on expressing that anger that builds inside and helps them try to figure out solutions to control all of that anger. Everything that they earn is all based on coupons which is to help these kids on how to earn those coupons by mainly obeying or completing the good deeds and those coupons can be used to purchase clothing, supplies, extra time, and personal hygiene. The better they act the later are able to able to stay up and give more visitation times and they do get night visitations if their parents work till a certain time. The negative things that were brought upon the tour such as food which mainly heated and brought from the jail. Overall the tour was interesting. GoodVibes003, JY160, GRUNT003
ReplyDeleteI found the tour to the juvenile detention center to be very informative. I wanted to be a juvenile probation officer but after the tour I think I may want to work in the juvenile detention center. The incentives of earning the coupons was an excellent idea. Giving kids something to look forward to when they display good behavior and make good choices. They can use the coupons to purchase things from commissary or extra phone calls. The group sessions they attend are helping teach the kids proper socialization skills that are needed to be productive in society. Some of these kids don't learn these skills at home so I found that to be a very important part of the detention facilities programs. I also noticed the cards outside their rooms with their goals on them. This was a great way to remind the children of what goals they needed to strive to attain. The way the staff talked to the children was also important. They spoke respectfully and treated them as human beings which is very important if they want the children to be respectful. Also in so doing they were teaching the children how to respect others . The time-out system they implemented there was also a good thing. I was glad to see they don't place the kids on solitary confinement. Overall I feel Peoria County has a great juvenile detention center and the staff we encountered that night are doing a wonderful job trying to rehabilitate the youth detained there. mommy0001
ReplyDeleteThis was my first time visiting the Juvenille Detention Center and the experience was one of the best that I've had with Criminal Justice so far. The facility was nothing like I expected before I toured it. Honestly, I thought they were receiving the opposite of the opportunities that the facility provides to them. During the tour, I noticed that most of the residents and the juvenille officers have respect and love for each other even though they may have their differences with certain things. Rehabilitation is the main concern for these residents because they have a second chance at life and are able to turn it around for their future. At the end of the day, they still are children even through they got into trouble and committed a crime, or multiple offenses. No one can't judge these juveniles because they're only human and may have had a rough childhood to where they ended up in this facility. The staff and juvenile officers are doing a phenomenal job at making sure the residents have the proper meal plan, the education, social interaction with the other residents and staff members, and physical fitness while still disciplining them in the correct and mannered way instead of treating them like criminals, or animals. When we went into the room with the residents and hear them discussing the rational and irrational thoughts, it opened my eyes about what their positive and negative thoughts that they had about themselves as children. Some of them said they are smart and are going to college while others said they'll never be good enough and won't succeed at anything in life. There was all kinds of mixed emotions of what the residents thought about their personal selves based on what they think others think about them. The residents are growing as individuals as they are processing through the facility based on the blue level to the green level to the orange level of the shirts that represent their behavior because they're recieving and interacting with other individuals that they can relate to and have the juvenile officers as their mentors through their time in the facility. -RW003
ReplyDelete