Introduction
Criminal activity among adolescents is on the rise in our nation. There are more incidents of violent behavior by youngsters in recent years when compared to the 1970s or the 1980s. The correctional facilities for these young children are overcrowded and unhygienic. There are increasing reports of violence and cruelty towards juvenile inmates across the country. The juvenile detention centers are seldom successful in rehabilitating its inmates. Recidivism in juvenile crime is at an all-time high. The purpose of Juvenile detention centers is to provide young children with opportunities to reform their ways. The expectation from these centers is to provide their young inmates with counselling, education, vocation, and rehabilitation.
Children who face neglect or abuse are generally more likely to commit criminal acts when compared to those brought up in a close-knit family atmosphere. Hence, the rehabilitation should include activities such as family time, counselling for various emotional needs, education, therapy, sporting events, community service, and a positive environment (Hirschi, 1969). Juvenile detention centers today have become colleges for training in criminal activity rather than rehabilitation. This is due to the accommodation arrangements that allow under trials and juvenile delinquents reside together. Moreover, the for-profit prisons often look to cut costs and provide substandard service to inmates. There are several reports of sexual abuse in these facilities in the last couple of years.
Fundamental purpose of proposed design
The fundamental purpose of the juvenile learning center is rehabilitation. In correlation to this purpose, there needs to be an ambience in the center that allows the youngsters to focus on change. There will be little or no change if the center resembles a prison complete with menacing looking staff. For example, a young female runaway looks for security, and comfort. If these elements are not available at the center, there is little hope for rehabilitation. All the child will think of is whether or not she will face abuse again. There is no conducive atmosphere for learning or change in these circumstances.
The proposed center intends to change all of the conventional approaches taken by juvenile correctional facilities today. The design finds its fundamental principles rooted in the social bond theory. According to this theory, the presence of bonds in the family, commitment to societal values, involvement in social activities, and a concrete belief system play a pivotal role in undermining criminal activity in a child. The proposed design for the juvenile correctional facility inculcates values that will help young children to resist criminal behavior (Miclette, 2011).
Proposed design
The juvenile detention center spans across three sections. They are Section I – Staff and minimum-security zone, Section II – Social development zone, and Section III – Restricted zone. The basic accommodation for all juvenile inmates consists of an individual suite with a living room, a bedroom, and bathroom. This two hundred square foot suite comes along with furniture, a television (channel allocation is based on points earned) set, and a closet. All suites are fully air-conditioned.
Sector I – Staff and minimum-security zone
This sector has an administrative building, a staff-training academy, school, auditorium, under trial accommodations building, and the visitor area. This is a minimum-security zone that only houses trainee staff and youngsters awaiting trial. The school, auditorium, and visitor area are common for all juvenile inmates.
Sector II – Social development zone
This sector houses all the social activities that all inmates can avail. The scheduling for these activities will differ between under trials and delinquents. This zone has a religious center that provides access to five leaders from different religious beliefs. The counselling center, shopping center, and workshop. While all inmates can, the avail services, the programs will differ based on the individual.
Sector III – Restricted zone
This sector consists of the outdoor sporting area, a park, the main juvenile delinquents accommodation building, a hospital, and a security command post. The access to this sector is restricted considering its proximity to the accommodation for juvenile offenders. While social interactions are positives, it is important to prevent criminal knowledge sharing.
Programs at the center
There are four types of programs offered by the proposed juvenile detention center.
Counselling
The Emotional trauma counselling for victims of rape, sexual or physical abuse, and those who involve in violent crimes. This program is mandatory for all runaway teenaged girls. The other type of counselling is for emotionally compromised children who are likely to harm themselves. In addition, volunteer counsellors are always available at the counselling center for individual sessions. Moreover, group therapy sessions are available for substance abuse. There are regular checkups that provide data on the condition of the mental health of the children.
Family interaction
The key to any criminal rehabilitation is family support. Visitor stayover privileges are available for sustained good behavior of juvenile inmates. Under this program, a child’s good behavior for two weeks in a row will earn him a weekend’s stay with an adult family member of his choice. The accommodation for both the juvenile and the family member is available at the under trial accommodation building. In addition, social events such as birthday celebrations will allow juvenile inmates to invite their families to the Center (Robinson, 2005).
Education
The key to success of any rehabilitation program is the provision of education. Volunteers from the State’s top schools and colleges will help provide the highest possible quality of instruction. Moreover, inmates can complete their GED diploma, and write their SATs while still serving a sentence. In addition, a variety of vocational courses is available at the workshop in Sector II. Field trips and school exhibitions also play an important role in rehabilitating juvenile delinquents.
Community service
One of the most successful activities during rehabilitation is community service. The proposed Juvenile Detention Center is a vast expanse. Hence, the community service duties are actually campus maintenance activities. Community service work during their stay in the Juvenile Detention Center will result in young inmates earning privilege points which are redeemable for family visits or for purchasing necessities at the shopping center.
(State of Arkansas, 2015)
Conclusion
The proposed Juvenile Detention Center provides a normal atmosphere for young people that add some services to support their emotional needs. The shopping center for example is a normalizing agent. It provides juvenile delinquents with surroundings that are not very different from their homes. The deployment of volunteers to handle the specialized services such as counselling, vocational training, and coaching for sports reduces costs. Moreover, the staff academy provides training for everyone irrespective of his or her experience. Finally, a survey from each juvenile inmate filed anonymously on a monthly basis monitors reports of abuse or neglect by the staff.
Juvenile Detention Center Layout
References
Hirschi, T. (1969). A Control Theory of Delinquency. Retrieved from: https://www.d.umn.edu/~bmork/2306/readings/hirschi.htm
Miclette, M (2011). Top 6 Juvenile Detention Centers in America – What Makes a Juvenile Jail the Best? Retrieved from: http://www.jailexchange.com/jail_and_inmate_search_blog/index.php/top-6-juvenile-detention-centers-in-america-what-makes-a-juvenile-jail-the-best/jailex-ratings/
Robinson, M. J. (2005). Best practices in juvenile corrections and detention. Retrieved from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/187856NCJRS.pdf
