Reference no: EM132254519

In your opinion, what should be the five most important characteristics of a functional long-term juvenile detention facility? Explain why you believe these are the most important.

Is it necessary that the environment be like a prison to meet the stated goals of the juvenile justice system? Why, or why not?

PLEASE REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS or MORE)

CLASSMATE'S POST

As it pertains to a long term juvenile correctional facility, I would argue that these 5 items are needed to ensure success and functionality of the facility. The first thing that is needed for a successful long-term facility is security. If the facility is not secure, then escapes can occur and if a juvenile is not in secure custody correctional treatment cannot begin.

The next step is that it must have competent staff, this is staff who has been background checked and trained in correctional law and use of force. This ensures that security functions properly and that those who harm children are not employed and that up to date training is provided. The next step is a successful treatment team, this will ensure that programs and treatment is available for issues related to criminal or delinquent activity such as substance abuse and mental health.

The next area needed is education to ensure that the juvenile can still learn and have a chance to develop knowledge and skills that can be used after release from detention. The final item is medical care, this will reduce cost from outside medical trips resulting in reduced transport cost and staff safety issues.

In addition, this provides earlier intervention for illness or injury treatment in opposed to waiting for outside intervention. I would argue that these services need to be set up in a prison style fashion to ensure secure custody and control of the juvenile. If a juvenile need to be in a detention setting, they are a risk to the public or there self and a risk of escape needs to be mitigated which can be done with secure custody.