Facility-ClarkCounty

The Clark County Juvenile Court Detention Center

Even though calendar year 2004 saw a major change in the location of the Detention Center, the overall purpose of the program remains constant. The Detention Center continues to be a 24-hour a day, 365 days a year residential facility for incorrigible youth where freedom at the time of incarceration would have jeopardized the safety of others in the community and/or their own safety. However, with the relocation of the Detention Center to temporary pods under the Clark County Jail, the housing of female offenders, since October 2004 has not occurred in the Clark County area. Surrounding centers have graciously offered to house Clark County females during the renovation of the Detention Center.

Firm, but fair standards continue to govern the youth within the facility of all youth are held accountable for their actions. Every intake that enters into the facility participates in an orientation period, which allows all concerning parties the opportunity to understand and incorporate standards, expectations, and the rights of everyone.

II.

Location

The Clark County Juvenile Detention Center, since October 2004, has been undergoing major renovation project. This project has forced the Detention Center to relocate temporarily to the bottom floor of the Clark County Jail. Currently, only male incorrigibles are being detained in these “pods”, with a maximum of twenty (20) youth at any one time. The Detention Center will remain at this location until spring, 2006, at which time; the renovated 48-bed facility will be reopened.

III.

Staff

The Clark County Juvenile Detention Center currently has 32 full and part-time employees. All new and existing staff receiving on-going training and workshops pertinent to the issues relating to detention work. The 32 hours of training for line staff, the twenty hours of training for Administrators, and the 16 hours of training for support staff are yearly requirements and are being overseen by the centers Training Officers.

IV.

Programming

The lack of programming space in the old facility was always a problem, the moving to the “pods” just increased this concern. Current programming continues to be reviewed reevaluated in an attempt to address the multi-needs of an incarcerated population. Recreational space is very limited in the “pods” and outside activities are determined by the weather.

Educational programming remains a top priority as the state certified teacher is constantly faced with teaching a highly unmotivated population. With the current reduction of school space causing all participants to become more upfront and personal, educational principles afforded to all the students consumes a large portion of the educational day. The Life Skills program, currently in its 5th year, continues to plan a very active role in providing an educational land vocational outlet in shaping these students into productive citizens.

Even though outside agency and the community involvement has been scaled back, they still play a vital role in offering a multitude of services to the incarcerated youth. Sex Education/awareness, drug awareness, mental health counseling and a wide range of other options continue to be offered on a weekly basis. Limited library services, letter writing and telephone communication are also vital in helping each youth adjust to incarcerated life.

Worship opportunities, on a voluntary basis, remain a vital and integral part of Detention Center programming. This service remains functional due to many generous volunteers supplied through the Clark County Jail Chaplaincy program and several other local churches and parishes. Due to a lack of space, no Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner/Program were offered, which interrupted a string of at least 13 holidays in a row.

Parental and custodial visitation continues to provide a vital link in the attempt to re-unifying the youth with their family. Visitation has gone through some temporary changes, since the move, and has been reduced down to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Visitation has become by appointment only and has served the population well considering the logistics of its location.

Funding

The Ohio Department no longer provides a state subsidy to operate the Detention Center. However, through matching funds, the center is currently undergoing a 6 million dollar renovation that will bring the center a much-needed modern facility.

VI.

Statistics

The Detention Center must meet both mandatory and recommended standards, designed by the Ohio Department of Youth Services the center continues to be inspected on a yearly basis to ascertain if the standards are being adhered to. The center met these standards in the calendar year 2004.