Almost 60,000 American youths are currently held in a juvenile detention center. What does this mean? What kinds of experiences are they having there?
Juvenile detention was established out of the recognition that while minors can break laws, subjecting them to adult punishments may not make sense. After all, youths under the age of 18 still need to learn and grow as individuals.
That said, a juvenile detention center may look remarkably like an adult prison. In fact, the lines are starting to blur between youth rehabilitation and the long-term prison pipeline.
Read on to find out more about juvenile detention and what occurs behind bars for youths.
What Does Day One at a Juvenile Detention Center Look Like?
After receiving charges, youths can expect to go from the courthouse to the juvenile detention center in handcuffs. From there, an officer will escort them inside and take them to speak with the intake staff. Depending on the facility, the intake staff may conduct a strip search and take mugshots of the minor.
The minor is then acquainted with the facility. They may take a shower before changing into their juvenile detention uniform. They will see their bunk and meet their roommate.
Daily Practices in a Juvenile Detention Facility
When you spend a day inside of a juvenile detention center, you may notice that the strict schedule mirrors that of adult prisons. The kids are expected to rise early, between 6 am and 7 am. They move through the facility in supervised groups, eating, exercising, and participating in rehabilitative programs when told.
The primary difference is that an average day in a juvenile detention facility does include mandatory education. From around 8 am to 3 pm, you can expect to find minors completing their studies.
After classes subside, minors may have access to free time. Depending on their privileges, they may use this time to watch TV, spend time with visitors, make phone calls, or spend time with other residents.
Do Kids in Juvenile Detention Have More Privileges Than Adult Prisoners?
Kids in juvenile detention have to earn privileges by showing guards and overseers things like respect and trustworthiness. The privileges look a little different from those that adult prisoners can earn but the system is similar.
In a juvenile detention center, earned privileges include things like longer phone calls and later bedtimes. One of the most coveted privileges is the day pass, allowing kids to spend the day outside of the facility with a trusted family member or guardian.
Is It Time to Improve the US Juvenile Detention Center?
We all know that the juvenile detention center exists. We may not realize that over the decades, it has shifted closer and closer in practice to prisons designed for adults. It may be time to reexamine the way we handle juvenile crimes and provide better care for minors who have run-ins with the law.
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