St. Joseph County IN Juvenile Detention (coed)

You can support your loved ones at St. Joseph County IN Juvenile Detention (coed) on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 219-235-5378.

The St. Joseph County IN Juvenile Detention (coed) is a medium to low-security detention center located at 1000 South Michigan St South Bend, IN that is operated locally by the Juvenile Justice Department and holds youths awaiting the determination of punishment for the crimes of which they are accused. Most of the adolescents are here for less than two years.

The juvenile justice system differs from the adult system, focusing on rehabilitation and recognizing the developmental differences in juveniles. It aims to protect both the child and the public and helps juveniles become productive adults.

Juveniles are detained if they pose a threat, may miss court, or violate court orders. Parental involvement is crucial for effective supervision and rehabilitation.

Key differences in terminology include "taken into custody" instead of "arrest" and "supervision" instead of "probation." Referrals usually come from law enforcement, and an intake social worker decides the juvenile's placement. An inquiry can lead to dismissal, corrective action, or court involvement.

The process includes a plea hearing, possible evaluations, a pre-trial conference, a fact-finding hearing, and a dispositional hearing to determine the case's outcome. Parents may need to cover associated costs.

The Juvenile Justice Center is a multi faceted facility which houses a variety of agencies that interact with the St. Joseph Probate Court, Probate Clerk, Juvenile Probation, Juvenile Detention, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Prosecutors Office, Public Defender's Office, Juvenile Justice Residential Program, Day Reporting, Electronic Monitoring Program, Community Transition Program "Rebuilding the Walls", and Central Academy.

INFORMATION FOR THE PARENT

This guide is to assist you/your child understand what is expected of them on a daily basis and provide you with helpful information regarding their stay in Detention.

While residing in Detention, your child will attend 5 hours of school provided by the South Bend Community School Corp. teachers and 1 hour of physical education per day. Local school corporations recognize earned credits.

Juveniles are subject to consistent supervision. They are visually monitored when in their rooms every 15 minutes. When they are on suicide precautions they are visually monitored every 4 minutes

You may contact the Control Room at 574.235.5385 in regards to visitation times. Please call the Control Room before the scheduled visitation time to ensure your child is still eligible for a visit. (See below for Visitation Schedule)

When calling the Juvenile Justice Center for information regarding your child, you must provide your child’s File Number in order to comply with legal requirements and ensure your child’s confidentiality. You will receive this File number from your child’s Probation Officer.

Our Detention Department has exceeded every Indiana Department of Corrections inspection since opening in 1997. Detention Staff teach and demonstrate the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Tolerance, and Acceptance to juveniles under their direct supervision.

Mail

All correspondence must be mailed/delivered by the United States Postal Service for safety reasons.

We will not accept non-mailed letters and/or packages.

Incoming Mail:

- Detainees may receive mail daily, which is screened for security purposes.

- Stamps and any contraband will be removed from the letter before it is given to the detainee.

- Detainees on Room Restriction will have their mail placed inside their personals so that they can read their mail during the time out of their room.

- Send all letters to your child using the address on the front cover.

Outgoing Mail:

- Blank envelopes are distributed on Fridays and collected daily. All detainees are given 2 envelopes per week.

- Postage is provided by Detention.

- Detainees who do not use their allotted postage/envelopes in a week may not save them for future use.

- Please refer to pages 10 & 11 for the number of envelopes allowed

CONTRABAND LIST

Room

- Pen, Pencils, and hard covered books

- More than 1 mattress

- More than 2 blankets/1 set of sheets

- More than 1 pair of socks

- More than 1 complete uniform

- More than 2 books

- More than 3 letters

- More that 5 photos of immediate family

- Hygiene items not during the appropriate time

- Food

- Damaged or destroyed property

- Pictures on the walls

- Staples of any kind

Personal Cabinet

- Excessive amounts of blank paper

- Excessive amounts of hygiene supplies

- Damaged property

- Staples of any kind

- Food

- Pens or Pencils

Books & Reading Materials

We only accept school textbooks and softbound religious books (Bible, Koran, Talmud, and etc.). The juveniles will not be able to take hard covered books into their rooms, but will have access to them during school and homework time. Juveniles do have access to over eight hundred book library and are encouraged to read these books at anytime. Other books may be brought in, but will be considered a donation to the facility library.

Hair Care

Hair care services by a licensed professional are available to juveniles while in Detention. The Haircut Waiver and Release of Liability form must be completed in order to schedule haircuts and a money order for the specified amount on the form. These forms can be obtained from Detention Staff or the Detention Administration secretary. There needs to be at a minimum of two juveniles scheduled for haircuts.

Value Based Behavior Management (VBBM)

Purpose:

1. To reinforce appropriate behavior by rewarding points to advance detainees in levels and increase their privileges with each advancement.

2. To discourage inappropriate behavior by not earning or deduction of points, the loss of levels and privileges, and potential confinement to a room.

3. To instill the four core values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, TOLERANCE, AND ACCPETANCE to develop a healthy conscience, empathy, respect and tolerance of others.

Procedure:

1. The Detainee must be reminded of the rules and expectations for his/her behavior prior to every activity. Staff will QUESTION OR STATE THE EXPECTATIONS.

2. Staff will LINK THE EXPECTATION TO A VALUE by either question or state what value applies to the expectation for the detainee’s performance.

3. Staff must OBTAIN A COMMITMENT to the expectation from the detainee(s).

4. Staff will explain to the detainee that lack of cooperation or commitment will result in negative consequences.

5. Consequences will be as closely related to particular behaviors in terms of the severity relevant to the behavior. Giving individual consequences is much more effective that giving group consequences.

Detainee Expectations

1. Follow and comply with all JJC rules and staff instructions in a timely manner.

2. Demonstrate Respect for each other and staff.

3. Address staff by their formal name, or

Titles. (ie: Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Officer)

4. You/your parents are responsible to pay for repair or replacement of any property that you damage.

5. You are responsible for your point card. You must carry your point card and turn into your staff prior to shift change/request.

VALUES

RESPECT – Act of showing consideration to self, other, and those in authority

RESPONSIBILITY – To be called to account for something; dependable; reliable; trustworthy

TOLERANCE – Capacity for recognizing and respecting the opinion, practices or behavior of others

ACCEPTANCE – Regard as true, believe in

LEVELS AND PRIVILEGES

Level 0 (Administrative/Transitional Segregation)

-No Privileges (includes games, recreation, cafeteria)

-Detainee is not allowed any papers/books/pictures in room

-Detainee is confined to their room

(Except for daily hour of exercise)

-Postage is provided for legal correspondence

Level 1

-Detainee will spend 48 hours on Level 1 once admitted to Detention

-Detainees will pass the VBBM test before earning level 2.

-Detainee is not allowed any papers/books/picture in room

-Detainee is confined to room

(Except for daily hour of exercise)

-Two envelopes/postage per week

Level 2 - (Must earn/maintain with 220 points in 5 days)

-Detainees advance to Level 2 once he/she has passed the VBBM test

-Allowed all recreation activities (gym, games)

-Allowed out of their rooms until 2000 hours

-One Phone call per week (Wed.)

-One Visit per week (Sun.)

- Two envelopes/postage per week

Level 3 - (Must earn/maintain 230 points in 5 days)

-Detainees advance to Level 3 after achieving 230 points on Level 2

-Allowed all recreation activities (gym, games)

-Out of their rooms until 2100 hours

-Evening Gym (One hour when possible)

-Two phone calls per week (Mon./Sat.)

-Two visits per week (Sun./Tues. or Thurs.)

- Two envelopes/postage per week

-One movie on Fri. & Sat.

-Snack – popcorn on Wed.

Level 4 - (Must earn/maintain 240 points in 5 days)

-Detainees advance to Level 4 after achieving 240 points on Level 3

-Allowed all recreation activities (gym, games)

-Out of their rooms until 2200 hours

-Evening Gym (One hour when possible)

-Three phone calls per week (Mon./Fri./Sat.)

-Two visits per week (Sun./Tues. or Thur.)

- Two envelopes/postage per week

-Two movies on Fri. & Sat.

-Snack – popcorn on Wed. and Pizza on Sat.

-Use of AM/FM walkman radio for 20 minutes

(after 2100 hours on Sun./Tues./Thur.)

-Outside dining on picnic tables – weather permitting

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

1. ST. JOSEPH PROBATE COURT
   handles all juvenile cases in the County concerning delinquency, abuse, neglect, dependency, adoptions, and the establishment of paternity. The Court also has jurisdiction over wills, estates, and guardianships. With the establishment of paternity, both parents will be ordered to attend an educational class about parenting and support.
2. ST. JOSEPH PROBATE CLERK
   serves as Clerk of the Court for filing cases, and maintains the records of the Court. The Clerk also collects support payments.
3. JUVENILE PROBATION
   the Assessment/Diversion Team receives referrals from police agencies, parents, and schools. After an intake screening, called a Preliminary Inquiry, the officer recommends and appropriate course of action.
   The Case Planning Team prepares a social history report, called a Pre-Dispositional, on adjudicated offenders and makes recommendations to the Court. Juveniles placed on Probation are then supervised by the Case Management or Placement Case Management Teams.
4. JUVENILE DETENTION
   provides both pre and post adjudication detention for persons under age 18 subject to the jurisdiction of the Court. Juveniles detained undergo a routine medical and mental health assessment and the appropriate treatment. The facility operates on a value based level system. The daily routine includes education, physical exercise and value based groups. Detainees are also offered religious services and can request to speak with the facility chaplain or a religious leader from another faith based organization. Visits are restricted to parents, guardians and grandparents only. Special visits can be requested by attorneys, clergy and counselors. The number of visits and telephone calls are based on the value based level system.
   Hours: 24 hours per day operations
   Application procedure: must be referred by a police department or the juvenile court.
   Fees: user fees are assessed on parents as part of the juvenile's commitment to detention.
5. A VARIETY OF SUPPORT SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY THE COURT
   
   • COMMUNITY SERVICE
     voluntary work performed by juveniles for a non-profit agency or governmental agency.
   
   
   • YOUTH JUSTICE PROJECT
     is a two to six month diversion program sponsored by the Probation Deparment and the University of Notre Dame. Juveniles could be given a variety of projects to complete depending upon the circumstances of their case, including, but not limited to: community service at various agencies, peer groups, and a reading program with volunteer community mentors.
   
   
   • SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING PROGRAM
     will also take walk-in urine drug screens. Parents must sign a contract and the information will be released only to parents. (Fee: $25 - cash only)
   
   
   • COURT ORDERED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM (COSAT)
     is an assessment, and if appropriate, a 12 week substance abuse treatment program that includes twice weekly group therapy for both the child and family. (Total cost: $120)
   
   
   
6. CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE)
   this program trains volunteers who are assigned to abuse and neglect cases currently before the Court. The volunteer meets with all parties, and conducts an independent investigation to provide information to the Court on what is in the best interests of the child.
7. JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM
   operated by Madison Center in a contractual arrangement with the Court; juveniles and their families are involved in intense treatment programming for mental health, substance abuse and truancy issues.
8. DAY REPORTING
   is a family based program providing services to juveniles and families as a diversion from placement of the juvenile in the Indiana Department of Correction, or other out of home, restrictive setting. The Day Reporting Program will provide services to juveniles who need increased supervision while on probation. As a diversion program it is a privilege for the juvenile and family to be accepted into the program. Thus, both the juvenile and the family will be initially assessed as to whether there is sufficient amenability and motivation to complete the program successfully.
9. ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM
   a home-based monitoring program used by the Court to closely supervise the high risk juveniles under the conditions of home arrest. (Fees: $25 initial, $10 per week) In addition, probation has recently added a Global Positioning System (GPS) option. This option can be made available as an alternative to detention when approved by the Court.
10. COMMUNITY TRANSITION PROGRAM
    provides a more structured and supportive release of a juvenile from an Indiana Department of Correction facility into the community. It does this by assisting parents in increasing their abilities to establish a healthy family structure, provide for the appropriate supervision and emotional support for their juvenile. Transition services begin before the juvenile is released from the correctional facility. Parents and their juvenile engage in family therapy in order to establish goals and expectations for the juvenile after discharge. After the juvenile is released into the community, the family continues to participate in services that focus on improving relationships, strengthening skills, and stabilizing the home environment.
    
11. CENTRAL ACADEMY
    is a court school created by Judge Peter J. Nemeth. All children who attend the academy must be on probation and "court ordered" to attend. The school is operated by the St. Joseph Probate Court for students who have been expelled, suspended, truant or at high risk of not completing their education. It is accredited by the Indiana Department of Education.
12. The school currently has two different programs:
    • A Graduate Equivalent Degree (GED) program that is set up to help students earn a GED where the possibility of gaining a high school diploma is in question. Students have an individualized learning program crafted for them and they work at their own pace. Required testing for the actual GED test is given monthly. Those who pass the pre-test are sent on to take the GED test.
    • The credit recovery program is set up to help students, who still have the possibility of earning a high school diploma, earn the needed high school credits for graduation. Students gain their credits by utilizing the Plato learning system under the direction of an accredited teacher.