A Day in the Life of a Resident

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) administers Secure Detention facilities for alleged Juvenile Offenders (JOs) and Juvenile Delinquents (JDs) and Non-Secure Detention (NSD) facilities for JDs. In its Secure Detention facilities, movement is restricted by both physical door locks and requirements that residents be accompanied by staff at all times. In non-secure facilities, residents bear the responsibility of greater freedom. In both, residents are regularly searched for contraband.

Typically, residents wake each morning at 5:30 a.m. They are given time to shower and eat breakfast before class. In school, residents are divided according to their academic levels, and are taught traditional subjects such as math, English, and science. In addition, residents learn community and individual living skills that both ease their stay in detention, and help when they return home. After school, residents do their homework and are allowed time for recreation. Although use of this period varies, residents may see a Case Manager, attend chapel, visit a psychologist, or play sports or video games.

On the days a resident must go to court, they wake up a half-hour earlier than usual. Residents spend time in supervised detention rooms while they wait for their case to be called. DJJ's Court Services staff supervise the detention rooms and provide transportation to and from the courts and other appointments.