WITNISS TO YOUTH SAfiTY IOOlK~l. How to Plan a Texas Juvenile Justice Department Facility Tour

Transcription

1 WITNISS TO YOUTH SAfiTY IOOlK~l How to Plan a Texas Juvenile Justice Department Facility Tour or

2 6AtKGROUND THf JIXAS JUYfNili JUSJICI SYSTfM Texas is experiencing a time when communities are safer from crime and troubled kids are increasingly likely to turn their lives around, but also a time of continuing challenges in our juvenile justice system. Various improvements in the school setting and in the court system have contributed to statewide system improvements, but the most visible transformation has been within the main agencies charged with juvenile justice. Since 2007, eight state-run, secure facilities closed, while two others merged. Meanwhile, the number of youth in Texas's secure juvenile facilities fell dramatically-by roughly 70 percent%- and those who were entering lock-ups spent less time there. Today, only juvenile offenders who have committed felonies are held in state-run, secure facilities. Beyond lower absolute numbers, the reforms have decreased recidivism among children in the system and decreased juvenile crime statewide. In December, 2011, the creation of the new Texas Juvenile Justice Department (T JJD) unified the responsibility for administering juvenile justice under a single agency and tasked the agency with partnering with the state's 254 county probation departments to rehabilitate kids close to home whenever possible. Among other things, the law that created TJJD charged the agency with working to ensure that: Fewer kids who come into contact with the juvenile justice system are incarcerated, either in state- or county-run facilities ; Children who remain at home enter proven programs designed to help them avoid further delinquency; Children who are incarcerated at the county level are held close to home; and Children who must be sent to state-run facilities have the best possible chance of rehabilitation. Recent reports of increased violence and abuse in state-run, secure facilities show Texas has not fully translated its reforms into every-day practice. In particular, there is an increased concentration of youth with high needs that require a heightened concentration of staff who are well equipped to make these facilities safer. If Texas wants to support youth success in communities, it must increase funding to community programs and support. Moreover, Texas must stay

3 focused on the goal of ensuring that the higher-need youth in those facilities are not only safe, but also receive the help and education necessary for them to grow into productive adults. The transition to a new system of governance brings us to a critical watershed. Those of us concerned about the welfare of Texas children-and those of us who take seriously the idea that juvenile offenders have the capacity to change-must work to ensure that the legislative and administrative reforms of the last years continue to translate into on-the-ground changes for the tens of thousands of Texas children and teens referred to the juvenile justice system annually. We must remain vigilant to ensure that children who remain in their communities receive the consistently high-quality treatment needed to help them achieve better outcomes. We have come too far, made too much progress in reforming our system and seen too great an improvement in our youth crime rates and community safety to turn back now. SCIIfD UliNG Tllf TO UR To schedule a tour of a Texas juvenile justice facility, you will need to contact the facility directly (see Directory included at the end of this toolkit). Each facility handles tours slightly differently, but the notion of a group tour should be something that the facility is generally familiar with. Be tenacious. Getting your tour scheduled may take some follow-up and some awaiting of facility approvals. When you call for your tour, be prepared to answer the following: How long of a tour would you like? How many people will be in your group? Are you hoping to have a question and answer session? What are the ideal dates and times for your tour? Do you want to meet with any staff in particular, or are there any program components in particular that you would like to see? Also, make sure and specifically request an opportunity to visit with the youth in the facility. Often, visitors assume they will have this opportunity, but if you don ' t specifically request it, this element of a tour might be omitted.

4 PlANNING IHf DAY Consider the needs of your group and what ways you might plan your tour so that it fits within a broader experience for your group. Some things to consider: Would it be helpful to plan a speaker for just prior to the tour? Will you need to schedule a breakfast prior to or a lunch after the event? Have you considered travel and parking logistics forur group? Have you considered a way to collect RSVPs and a means for sending preparatory materials to the group? Does anyone in the group have special needs that should be considered-challenges in mobility or other concerns? PRlPARING Y UR GRCUP In order for your group to get the most out of their experience, you may want to provide them preparatory reading materials. Along with the background section of this guide and "Things to Keep in Mind" section, some informative materials that you might want to provide to the group are : Juvenile Justice The Officer Will See You Now : A Juvenile Justice Brief After the Juvenile Justice Reforms, Are Texas Kids Better Off?

5 IHINGS TO KIIP IN MIND Each facility is a bit different and may have slightly different rules. You can request a copy of facility rules from your facility contact when you schedule the tour, but there are some basic guidelines that will apply to most facility tours. How to dress for your tour: Encourage your group to wear clothing that is comfortable, since the tour will likely include a significant amount of walking. Tennis shoes, blue jeans, and a shirt with a higher education logo is an outfit often recommended by TJJD staff. Clothing that is generally NOT permitted in facilities: Skirts or pants that are shorter than mid-calf Sleeveless blouses or shirts Cropped shirts Logos or the like that could be interpreted as referencing gang culture What to bring and what not to bring: Photo identification will be required to enter the facility. The following forms of photo identification will be accepted: Drivers license Other state-issued identification card Current military or schoo l-issued identificat ion card Generally speaking, you should avoid bringing in any items inside the facility, save perhaps something to write with and paper. Things that you will generally NOT be permitted to bring into the facility include: electronic items- purses and/or briefcases including cell phones and cameras notebooks with metal spiral binding lotion anything made of glass(if you wear lip balm glasses, you are permitted to wear money them.) tobacco products lighter or matches medications weapons food and beverages

6 IHf DAY Of IHI I UR Sign-in: All members of your tour will be asked to sign in and present photo identification upon arriving at the facility. Each visitor wi ll then receive a visitor's badge, which must be worn and visible throughout the tour. Facility staff will also ask visitors to submit any keys they have in their possession. These will be returned at the end of the tour once the visitor again presents photo identification. Security Check : Please advise your group that visitors are required to pass through a metal detector before entering the facility. At this time, visitors will be asked to remove their shoes, empty their pockets, and remove any outer garments, such as coats or jackets. Overall Tour Rules: During your tour, the staff will ask that you remain with the group and visible to th e tour guide. Speak up: Feel free to ask your tour guide questions, and if the tour does not include areas or programs that you understood would be covered, feel free to ask your guide if you can be included. Similarly, you may want to remind your tour guide that you are seeking the opportunity to visit directly with youth.

7 1. How long have you been here? 2. Do you feel safe? 3. Do you currently have a mentor? 4. Are there gangs here? 5. Do you ever get confined to your room? 6. Does your fami ly visit you? Do they live close by? How often do you see them or talk to them on the phone? 7. When you get sick, who takes care of you? 8. When kids act up, how do they get punished here? 9. Do kids here get to see a counselor? 10. Do you have enough clean clothes to wear? Do you have warm clothes? Do they fit? 11. Does your bed have clean sheets? Do you have enough blankets at night? 12. Is your room clean? 13. Do you get enough food to eat? 14. Is the dining room clean? 15. Do you get enough water? 16. How much time do you spend out of your room? What do you do when you aren ' t in your room? 17. Do you get to go outside? When was the last time? 18. Do you keep books in your room? What are you reading? 19. How often do you go to school? What kind of work do you do there? 20. What are your plans for the future?

8 follow -UP Be sure to fill out the post-visit online form described in the next section. Your group may wish to send a note thanking your facility tour guide for their time in providing a tour, as we ll as any other staff who were helpful in setting up the tour or providing information. Yo u may also wish to send a thank you note to the youth you spoke with during the tour. Hopefully, your group has had a rich experience and been inspired to learn more. Consider asking your group if they want to engage further by setting up regular times to visit with youth, possibly organizing volunteer activities for the facility or perhaps engaging with policymakers or the media on the conditions the group observed. Rather than a one-day experience, the tour could be the starting place for your group to actively engage in making the juvenile justice system better. To stay informed about happenings in the juvenile justice system and to get engaged with stakeholders dedicated to improving the juvenile justice system, visit: http: II w w w. t x chi I d r en. or g I j u v en i I e-justice-round tab I e P SI -VIS II NliNI f RM Your time spent with the youth you are visiting may raise concerns for you, or you might have a positive experience you want to share. Either way, your impressions and insights count and provide a window into how our juvenile justice system is serving the youth in its care. Please fill out our online form at: http: II t x chi I d r en. or gig e t-in v o I v e d I Witness-to-Youth-S a f e t y- Too I kit

9 Facility Type by Type of Address Phone County Location Facility Number Anderson Coun!Y Probation De~artment Anderson County Juvenile Detention County Pre E. Crawford (903) Center Palestine, Texas Angelina Count) Probation De~artment Angelina County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 705 Ellen Trout (936) Center Lufkin, Texas Atascosa Coun!Y Probation De~artment Atascosa County Juvenile Justice County Pre Zanderson (830) Center Avenue Jourdanton, Texas Bell Count) Probation De~artment Bell County Juvenile Services Center County Post E Rancier (254) & Pre- Ave. Killeen, Texas Bexar Coun!Y Probation De~artment Ayers House State run (210) Halfway House Nacogdoches Rd San Antonio, TX Bexar County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 301 East Mitchell (21 0) Center San Antonio, Texas Cyndi Taylor Krier Juvenile Correctional County Post- 301 East Mitchell (210) Treatment San Antonio, Texas County Post Mission Road (21 0) Mission Road Center San Antonio, Texas Brazoria Count) Probation De~artment

10 Clemens Unit- TDCJ Adult Prison Hwy 36 (979) Youthful Brazoria, Texas Offenders n. nuyram Brazoria County Juvenile Detention County Pre County Road (979) Center 171 Angleton, Texas Brazoria County Residential Treatment County Post County Road (979) Facility 171 Angleton, Texas Brazos Count~ Probation n, ut.nent R.J. Holmgreen Juvenile Justice Center County Pre Hwy 21 W (979) Bryan, Texas _]r 1 uvvu c~-" UuLv,.. r r ul.l...: ~ LIIII:OIIL Ron Jackson State Juvenile State Secure 800 FM 3254 (325) Correctional Complex Facility (Girls) Brownwood, Texas th Judicial District Juvenile Justice County Hold Houston (325) Center Over Street Brownwood, Texas Cameron Count~ Probation ~.nent Edna Tamayo House State run 1438 N. 77th (956) Halfway House Sunshine Strip Harlingen, Texas Amador R. Rodriguez Boot Camp & County Post W. Hwy 77 (956) Educational Center San Benito, Texas Darrel B. Hester Juvenile Justice County Pre W. Hwy 77 (956) Center San Benito, Texas Collin Countv Probation~rtment John R. Roach Juvenile Detention County Post Community (972) Center & Ave. Pre- c, l'&!!!!~?r~on~rtment McKinney, Texas Gainesville State School State Secure 1379 FM 678 (940) Facility Gainesville, Texas 76240

11 Cooke, Fannin & Grayson County County Post- 86 Dyess (903) Juvenile Boot Camp & Denison, Texas Pre Carvell Countv Hilltop Unit - TDCJ Adult Prison State School (254) Youthful Road (**031) Offenders Gatesville, Texas Program (girls) Dallas Countv Probation Deoartment Cottrell House State run 7929 Military (214) Halfway House Parkway Dallas, Texas Dallas County Juvenile Detention County Pre Lone Star Center Drive Dallas, Texas Dallas County Residential Programs County Post Lone Star (214) and Drug Treatment Drive Dallas, Texas Dallas County Youth Village County Non E Langdon Rd (972) Secure Dallas, Texas Letot Center County Non Denton Drive (214) Secure Dallas, Texas Lyle B. Medlock Treatment Facility County Post A East (972) Langdon Road Dallas, Texas Marzelle Hill Transition Center County Non Lone Star (214) Secure Drive Dallas, Texas Deaf Smith Coun~ Probation Deoartment Deaf Smith Country Youth Home County Non- 216 E 5th St (806) Denton Count~ Probation Deoartment Secure Hereford, Texas 79045

12 McFadden Ranch State run 3505 N. Haynes Rd (817) Halfway House Roanoke, Texas Denton County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 210 South (972) Center Woodrow Lane Denton, Texas Denton County Secure Correctional County Post- 210 South (940) Facility Woodrow Lane Denton, Texas Duval Count~ Probation De~artment (Tri-Coun~ Juvenile Probation Department) Judge Ricardo H. Garcia Regional County Post- 599 S Fm 1329 (361) Juvenile Detention & San Diego, Texas Pre Ector Coun~ Probation De~artment Ector County Youth Center County Post Yukon Rd (432) & Odessa, Texas Pre El Paso Count~ Probation De~artment Schaeffer House State run Garment (915) Halfway House Road El Paso, Texas El Paso County Juvenile Detention County Pre Delta Drive (915) Center El Paso, Texas Samuel F. Santana Challenge Program County Post Delta Dr (915) El Paso, Texas Ellis County Probation Department Ellis County Short-Term Detention County Hold- 111 W. Franklin (972) Facility Over Waxahachie, Texas Flo~d Count~ Probation De~artment Parent Adolescent Center County Non- 111 N Wall St (806) Secure Floydada, Texas Fort Bend Coun~ Probation De~artment

13 Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 122 Golfview (281) Center Richmond, Texas Fort Bend County Juvenile Leadership County Post- 122 Golfview (281) Academy - Secure Richmond, Texas Galveston Countl Probation LQ!e!... '""" II Lilli;; I u Jerry J. Esmond Juvenile Justice County Post Attwater Ave. (409) Center & Dickinson, Texas r 1\rljudicatlull ~ C~ntvP u~ 1IL Garza County Regional Juvenile Center County Post- 800 N. Ave. F (806) & Post, Texas Pre-Adjudicat.on Greaa r.nuntv Probation Department Gregg County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 310 Turk St. (903) Center Longview, Texas Guadalu~e Countl Probation LQ!e!... '""" II Lilli;; I u Guadalupe County Juvenile Detention County Pre North (830) Center Guadalupe St. Seguin, Texas Hardin Cou1itv Probation n, ~ar Lilli:: II... L Hardin County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 300 Monroe St.3rd (409) Center Floor Courthouse Kountze, Texas Ha i~ Cou.itv Probation Depart.nent Burnett Bayland Reception Center County Post A Chimney (713) Rock Houston, Texas Harris County Juvenile Justice Center County Pre Congress (713) Baytown, Texas Harris County Residential Assessment County Post- 600 N. San Jacinto (712) Unit Houston, Texas 77002

14 Harris County Youth Village County Non- 210 JW Mills Drive (713) Secure Seabrook, Texas Leadership Academy County Post Katy-Hockley (713) Road Katy, Texas Harrison Coun~ Probation Department Willoughby Juvenile Services County Post Warren Drive (903) & Marshall, Texas Pre Hays County Probation Department Hays County Juvenile Pre-Detention County Pre Clovis Barker (512) Center Rd. San Marcos, Texas Hays County Juvenile Post-Detention County Post Clovis Barker (512) Center Rd. San Marcos, Texas Hidalgo County Probation Department Evins Regional Juvenile Center State Secure 3801 East Monte (956) Facility Cristo Road Edinburg, Texas Beta House State run 4513 W. Business (956) Halfway House 83 Judge Mario E. Ramirez, Jr. Juvenile County Post N. Doolittle (956) Justice Center & Edinburg, Texas Pre Judge Mario E. Ramirez Jr. Juvenile County Non Northbridge (956) Justice Center Transitional Program Secure St. Weslaco, Texas Hood Countv Probation De artment Granbury Regional Juvenile Justice County Post Crossland (817) Center & Road Howard Coun~ Probation Department Pre- Granbury, Texas 76048

15 Howard County Short-Term Detention County Hold- 315 Main Street- (432) Facility Over Annex Big Spring, Texas Hunt Countv Probation Department Hunt County Juvenile Detention Center County Pre Johnson (903) Street Greenville, Texas Jefferson Count~ Probation Department Minnie Rogers Juvenile Justice Center County Pre Hwy 69 South (409) Kerr Countv Probation Department Kerr County Juvenile Facility County Pre Legion Drive (830) Kerrville, Texas Lee Countv Giddings State School State Secure 2261 James (979) Turman Rd. Giddings, Texas Limestone County Probation Department Limestone County Juvenile Facility County Pre- 908 N. Tyus St. (254) Groesbeck, Texas Lubbock Count~ Probation Department Lubbock County Juvenile Justice County Post N. Akron (866) Center & Lubbock, Texas Pre Mclennan County Probation Department Mclennan County State Juvenile State Secure 116 Burleson Road (254) Correctional Facility (Mart) Mart, Texas Bill Log ue Juvenile Justice Center County Post Gholson Rd. (254) & Waco, Texas Pre- Mclennan County Juvenile Alternative County Non Gholson Rd. (254) Shelter Secure Waco, Texas Medina County Probation DeRartment

16 Ever Change Academy County Post- 805 McHaughten (830) Hondo, Texas Midland Count~ Probation Department Barbara Culver Juvenile Detention County Pre N. Lamesa ( 432) Center Rd. Midland, Texas Milam Countv Probation Department Rockdale Regional Juvenile Justice County Post- 696 N Fm 487 (512) Center & Rockdale, Texas Pre-Adi ud ication Montgome~ Coun~ Probation Deoartment Montgomery County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 200 Academy Dr. (936) Center Conroe, Texas Navarro County Corsicana Residential Treatment State Secure 4000 W. 2nd (903) Center Facility Avenue Corsicana, Texas Nueces Count~ Probation DeQartment York House State run 422 S. Enterprize (361) Halfway House Pkwy Corpus Christi, Texas Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center County Pre Gollihar Rd. (361) I Overflow Corpus Christi, Texas Robert N. Barnes Regional Juvenile County Post Gollihar Rd. (361) Facility Corpus Christi, Texas Randall Count~ Probation DeQartment Randall County Next Step Home County Non S Georgia St. (806) Secure Amarillo, Texas The Youth Center of the High Plains County Post S Georgia (806) & Amarillo, Texas Pre

17 San Patricio Coun!Y Probation DeparL n:mt San Patricio County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 107 W. 5th St. (361) Center Sinton, Texas Smith Cmmty p,.l1ation Depar mn:o it Smith County Juvenile Detention County Pre Morningside (903) Center Drive Tyler, Texas Stdrr C.Q!!,ntv Probation~ Starr County Juvenile Justice Center County Pre- 401 N. Britton, #1 00 (956) Rio Grande City, Texas Tarrant Coun!Y Probation ~ LIIII!OIIl Willoughby House State run 8100 W. Elizabeth (817) Halfway House Ln Fort Worth, Texas Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention County Post Kimbo Road (817) Center & Fort Woth, Texas Pre-Arljudication Tavlor C~ntv r.,u~t Taylor County Juvenile Detention County Pre- 889 South 25th (325) Center Street Abilene, Texas Taylor County Post Facility County Post- 889 South 25th (325) Street Abilene, Texas Tom Green Coun!Y Probation Deparu.nmt Tom Green County Juvenile Detention County Pre West 19th (325) Center Street San Angelo, Texas Travis Countv rrobation~1 mtent Turman House State run 7308 Cameron (512) Halfway House Road Austin, Texas 78752

18 Gardner-Betts Juvenile Justice Center Meurer Intermediate Sanctions Center County Pre County Post 2515 S. Congress (512) Ave. Austin, Texas S. Congress ( 512) Ave. Austin, Texas Val Verde County Juvenile Detention Center County Pre 200 Griner Del Rio, Texas (830) Van Zandt County Youth Multi-Service Center County Post & Pre-Ad udication 323 E. Garland Grand Saline, Texas (903) Victoria Regional Juvenile Justice Facility County Post & Pre- 97 Foster Field Drive Victoria, Texas (361) Solomon Casseb Jr. Webb County Youth Village Wichita County Probation De rtment Judge Arthur R. Tipps Juvenile Justice Center County Pre County Pre 111 Camino Nuevo Road, Hwy 359 Laredo, Texas Lamar Witchita Falls, Texas (361) (940) Williamson County Academy Williamson County Juvenile Justice Center Williamson County Triad Program County Non- Secure County Pre- County Post SE Inner Loop Georgetown, Texas SE Inner Loop Georgetown, Texas SE Inner Loop Georgetown, Texas (512) (512) (512)