Detention Facilities Report: (part II -juvenile) HOW DO WE Know IF WE ARE Taking Care of OUR At-risk Juveniles?

Comments 6

• CO1
  $ 20,975,463 | $ 19,617,179 | $ 1,358,284 Salaries $ 6,739,437 $ 7,147,434 $ (407,997) Retirement $ 3,342,852 $ 2,912,918 $ 429,934 Health Other Pay 0 $ 1,647,740 $ (1,647,740) $ 31,057,752 $ 31,325,271 $ (267,519) Sub Total Un-sworn Employees (70) 2,574,281 $ 2,407,581 $ 166,700 $ Salaries $ 542,811 $ 575,667 $ (32,856) Retirement $ 537,228 $ 468,134 $ 69,094 Health N/A Other Pay 0 0 See Note 1 Sub Total $ 3,654,320 $ 3,451,382 $ 202,938 Plant $ 2,426,956 $ 2,240,731 $ 186,225 Food $ 755,000 $ 1,519,479 $ (764,479) See Note 2 $ 37,894,028 $ 38,536,863 $ (642,835) Total Expenses Note 1: No "budgeted or actual" amount reported by responding agency. Note 2: Food expenses also include Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) food expenses. The Orange County Superintendent of Schools/Department of Education provides a fully accredited high school for Juvenile Hall and Youth Leadership 3 Orange County Probation Department 2012 Business Plan, Core Services, p.3 4 Inspection of Juvenile Hall, (Dec.19, 2012) DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? Academy. The accreditation is provided by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Otto Fischer School (located at Juvenile Hall) has a state aligned curriculum that follows the California State Standards and Framework for all classes. Special Education Teachers write Individual Education Plans for students who need them throughout all the juvenile detention facilities. This facility has a full time Principal to work with the teachers and juveniles in maintaining discipline, classroom management, and innovative educational strategies. This year, Otto Fisher High School juveniles, which includes Juvenile Hall and Youth Leadership Academy, earned 18 High School Diplomas and 23 G.E.D.s. Educational programs are working. Activities, such as community service, are not offered because Juvenile Hall is a maximum security facility. Instead long term detainees concentrate on family reunification and transitional programs. The evidenced-based Thinking for a Change program is used at Juvenile Hall in Unit T where detainees will be tried as adults and have a longer stay awaiting court dates. This curriculum works best if the minor completes all 25 lessons.5 Due to short terms of incarceration, many juveniles in other housing units do not complete the program. The Probation Department is now considering a program called Decision Points (see glossary) which takes less time. Life skills, vocational classes, and drug abuse programs are offered at Juvenile Hall, particularly in Unit Q, where there are long term detainees. Parenting is taught in the Baby Elmo Program (see glossary) where parent and infant visits involve modeling parental behaviors for young fathers.7 Lessons for pregnant minors in the You're Becoming a Mom program (see glossary) are offered by the Medical Unit. Also considered unique is the Puppies and Wards program, which has become very successful and proven beneficial for both dogs and wards. The dogs are trained by the wards and then adopted. Boys in the Puppies and Wards program focus on the dog instead of themselves. They also learn the skill of dog training. Juvenile Hall management told the Grand Jury the juveniles in this program are less inclined to recidivate. Substance abuse classes are provided by the Orange County Superintendent of Schools/Department of Education through Safe Schools' funding. A drug and alcohol counselor and a full-time mental health professional administer mental health assessments and psychological tests. Individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, substance abuse assessments and individual case management are also provided. Re-entry Programs are sadly lacking at this time. The Youthful Transition Intervention program (see glossary) lost its federal grant funding in 2011-2012.8 Additional community involvement and funds to support it are on the Probation Department wish list. No one in the Probation Department wants to see their budget cut again. However, lacking research, the success of several probation programs and activities is not available for measurement. Programs need data to prove their viability,
• CO2
  Juvenile Hall Inspection and Information from Upper Management (Dec. 19, 2012). Juvenile Justice commission Meeting, (Feb.6,2013)
• CO3
  7 Youth Law Center of San Francisco and Georgetown University Early Learning Collaboration Study (www.ylc.org/about-us/mission) Juvenile Hall Responses to Grand Jury Standards of Review for Jails and Detention Centers 2012 9 Orange County Probation Department meeting with the Grand Jury Criminal Justice Committee, (Oct.9, 2012) DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? and the Orange County Probation Department Research Division has been cut from 14 researchers to 4.10 The University of California, Irvine, which is local, has renowned criminology and sociology departments. The Orange County Sheriff's Department is looking to this university for research on recidivism. This is an available resource. Discipline at Juvenile Hall and the other juvenile detention facilities is similar. Verbal counseling, written assignments, or confinement in a disciplinary room may be imposed depending on the offense. Major violations could require a hearing. A floor or dorm supervising juvenile correctional officer hears the evidence of the incident, and conducts a hearing. Then management reviews it. If the juvenile has committed a crime, he/she may be sent back to juvenile court. Correctional Health Services provide nurses, doctors, dental and eye care at Juvenile Hall and Youth Leadership Academy, which uses Juvenile Hall's care providers. Western Medical Center of Anaheim provides care for serious injuries and illness. In case of an emergency, the juvenile is taken to the University of California, Irvine Hospital for treatment. Juveniles are medically well-cared for at Juvenile Hall. Probation Department: Juvenile Hall Incident Update In February 2012, a male and female were left alone for several hours in the female's quarters and engaged in sexual activities. The Orange County Probation Department and Office of Independent Review initiated an investigation. "This investigation was thorough, comprehensive and reasonably fast paced." After the 2011-2012 Grand Jury Juvenile Detention Facilities Report, it was recommended that the male and female wards not be placed in the same unit. 12 Consequently, females attend school, eat and attend programs separately from the male wards. "Sixteen juvenile correctional officers involved in this incident were put on administrative leave; two left the department, four returned to work and ten warranted termination. Of these, three returned to work after a significant suspension based on lesser culpability, and one is still being investigated. Ultimately, the Office of Independent Review oversaw the Probation Department's investigation and disciplinary actions. Additionally and importantly, the Probation Department continues to consider policy changes and new protocols...to prevent such complacency again." 13 According to the Office of Independent Review, several juvenile correctional officers involved were experienced but failed to follow protocol for reporting this incident. Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) Youth Leadership Academy is a juvenile residential and treatment center located behind Juvenile Hall. It has a capacity of 120 beds in secured, self-contained buildings. Currently only half the beds are in use for males, who are older, have social behavioral 10 Ibid. 11 Office of Independent Review Report, (Jan, 2013) pp.7-8 12 Ibid, 13 Ibid. DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? issues and/or some drug problems. As of March 5, 2013 there were 45 males housed there. Youth Leadership Academy 2012 Average Daily Population 60 50 40 30 56 Males 54 53 52 51 52 51 51 50 50 48 20 10 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Upon inspection, the facilities are clean, orderly, modern and secure. 14 Some of the juveniles housed there expressed the opinion that Youth Leadership Academy is a better housing facility than Juvenile Hall.15 Looking at the budget for the fiscal year 2011-2012, food costs are very low and yet show a negative variance. Juvenile Hall provides meals for Youth Leadership Academy residents, and the food expense in the fiscal budget 2011-2012, is for small events that outsiders attend. It is anticipated that this line item will increase when this budget reflects a charge-back for meals received from Juvenile Hall. This budget is questionable because of the relationship Youth Leadership Academy has with Juvenile Hall for food costs. (See note 3 on attached ledger, regarding Juvenile Hall's food budget below). 14 Grand Jury Inspection of Youth Leadership Academy, (Dec.19, 2012) 15 Ibid. DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? FY 2011-12 (July 1 2011- June 30 2012) Probation Department Detention Center Expenses Youth Leadership Academy: No. of Beds = 120 (Currently only 60 in use) Sworn Employees (28) Budgeted Actual Variance Expenses
• CO4
  Salaries $ 1,753,852 $ 1,608,520 $ 145,332 $ 556,068 $ 588,292 $ Retirement (32,224) $ 270,840 $ 220,373 $ Health 50,467 21,768 $ Other Pay $ 181,673 | $ (159,905) $ 2,598,858 $ Sub Total 2,602,528 $ 3,670 Un-sworn Employees (2) 10,733 Salaries $ 129,524 $ 118,791 | $ $ 26,728 $ 28,277 $ Retirement (1,549) $ 18,240 $ 14,841 $ Health 3,399 $ 2,520 $ 6,113 $ Other Pay (3,593) $ 177,012 $ Sub Total 168,022 $ 8,990 $ 1,158,020 260,948 $ 897,072 Plant $ $ Food 5,000 $ 8,100 $ (3,100) See Note 3 $ 3,942,560 3,035,928 $ Total Expenses $ 906,632 Note 3: These food expenses are not included in Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) food expenses. Youth Leadership Academy students attend Juvenile Hall's school. The juveniles are supervised while they walk over to Otto A. Fischer High School at Juvenile Hall. Once there, they are encouraged to earn high school credits, finish GED classes or complete the requirements for their diploma. The teachers appear committed to the students' needs and have good rapport with them. This is seen by cooperation in the classroom. 16 Orange County Superintendent of Schools/ Department of Education provides a certified counselor, psychological clinician as well as special education evaluations and services to help these juveniles achieve success. Youth Leadership Academy offers life skills classes such as: job preparation, vocational training and economics classes which teach financial responsibility. In order to obtain a job, students learn how to write a resume, a letter of introduction, and a thank you letter. Interview skills are practiced by role-playing. Lastly and importantly, the program Thinking for a Change provides lessons on decision making which frequently segues into the substance abuse classes. Resources for substance abuse counseling are provided by the Orange County Superintendent of Schools/Department of Education. The Safe Schools monies provide a certified counselor/ clinician who uses the ASERT program (see glossary). Serious drug abuse by juveniles is evaluated for transfer to the Youth Guidance Center. The Grand Jury was told that due to funding constraints, Youth Leadership Academy is unable to offer family therapy, which partners the juvenile and their parent in counseling together.17 This facility hopes to provide this in the future. Volunteers from the community are also involved in appropriate programs to help incarcerated youth. Reading, skill building, tutoring, community service and restorative justice activities are available at Youth Leadership Academy. Community service could be a beach clean-up or helping out in a classroom setting. In restorative justice 16 Grand Jury Inspection of Juvenile Hall (Dec.19,2012) 17Grand Jury Inspection of Youth Leadership Academy, (Dec.19, 2012) DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? activities, the juvenile must do something to help the victim of their crime or some type of community service. Again, the short stay of these youth (42-45 days) makes it difficult to effect a long term change in behavior. There is no data collected to evaluate the effectiveness of these activities. Discipline ranges from verbal counseling and redirection for minor infractions to work assignments and loss of free time activities for more serious behaviors. Fighting or attacking a juvenile correctional officer, or other Youth Academy Leadership employees can result in a due process hearing, going to court, receiving more detention time, or a transfer to Juvenile Hall. Individuals with health problems go to Juvenile Hall which has a health facility. Emergencies or medical procedures are provided by Western Medical Center of Anaheim or University of California, Irvine Hospital. The juveniles receive whatever medical care they need; be it preventative or emergency. Youth Guidance Center (YGC) Youth Guidance Center is a minimum security (camp) facility located on North Hesperian Street in Santa Ana across the river from Juvenile Hall. It has eighty beds; 60 are available for males and 20 for females. The age range of these juveniles is 13- 20 years. On March 5, 2013 there were 59 males and 20 females housed there. Youth Guidance Center 2012 Average Daily Population 90 81 78 81 80 79 78 79 78 78 79 78 76 80 18 70 16 19 9 19 19 19 20 19 Total 60 Females 50 Males 40 30 62 62 63 61 60 61 60 20 10 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec These juveniles have drug and alcohol abuse issues and have committed crimes. Youth Guidance Center has adopted a program to reduce recidivism through behavior modification. The Aggression Replacement Training program (see glossary) teaches juvenile offenders social skills including anger management and moral reasoning. Seven staff members have been trained to administer this class. 18 This evidence based program is taught three times a week. The inspection of this facility showed it was well maintained, modern, and clean inside and outside of the residential units and the classrooms. 19 The exterior grounds are maintained by Orange County maintenance and an on-site horticulture class. This 18 Orange County Juvenile Justice Commission Annual Report 2011, p14. 19 Grand Jury Inspection of Youth Guidance Center (Dec. 10, 2012). DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II -JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? class is quite popular among the juveniles. The Grand Jury was told the class was very successful. The students have even built an outdoor performance area. The budget is questionable in one particular area. The variance in food costs is excessive. Some monies were used for special events with visiting groups, or at school celebrations, but those do not account for such a huge difference in what was budgeted and what was spent.20 Other costs such as the category "Other Pay" need explanation as to what these expenses are. Once again, this is another detention center budget with variances so large that it reflects poor accounting methods. FY 2011-12 (July 1 2011- June 30 2012) Probation Department Detention Center Expenses Youth Guidance Center: No. of Beds = 80 Sworn Employees (65) Budgeted Actual Variance
• CO5
  Expenses $ 3,949,919 $ 136,573 Salaries 3,813,346 | $ $ Retirement 1,256,845 $ 1,388,465 $ (131,620) $ 596,844 $ 545,158 $ Health 51,686 $ Other Pay 39,528 | $ 426,137 | $ (386,609) $ Sub Total 5,843,136 $ 6,173,106 $ (329,970) Un-sworn Employees (10) $ 395,155 | $ 381,490 $ Salaries 13,665 $ 80,939 $ 89,415 $ Retirement (8,476) $ 75,120 $ 68,615 $ 6,505 Health $ 1,680 $ 4,812 $ Other Pay (3,132) $ Sub Total 552,894 $ 544,332 $ 8,562 $ Plant 1,266,344 $ 976,788 $ 289,556 $ 231,698 $ Food 506,322 $ (274,624) Total Expenses $ 7,894,072 $ 8,200,548 $ (306,476) The Orange County Superintendent of Schools/Department of Education operates the Rio Contiguo High School on site. This year, there were 16 High School Diplomas and 49 G>E.D.s earned at Rio Contiguo High School. These statistics reflect the dedication of the teachers and the motivation of the juveniles. The school has an Assistant Principal who splits her time between Youth Guidance Center and the Joplin Youth Center. The distance from one center to the other is 26.33 miles. If there is traffic there can be delays. This poses a problem when one facility needs a school Principal and one is not available. 21 The Grand Jury was told by Youth Guidance Center management that disciplinary incidents appear to occur more frequently when a substitute teacher is in the classroom and the lead teacher is pulled from the classroom for other duties. In general, some students fail to complete their assignments in class if there is a substitute directing the class. This creates an atmosphere for both minor and serious disciplinary incidents to occur. The school consists of several teachers and a special education teacher who provides special education assessments and language development services. Students also have opportunities to perform community service with organizations such as: "Angels of Love," (see glossary) making stained glass angel figurines to bring hope to 20 Orange County Grand Jury Inspection of Youth Guidance Center (Dec. 10, 2012) 21 Orange County Grand Jury Inspection of Youth Guidance Center, (Dec. 10, 2012). DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? sick children and families suffering grief over the loss of a loved one, "Shortstop," (see glossary) where Youth Guidance Center juveniles counsel young people on the dangers of drug abuse, and the Ronald McDonald House, where the juveniles interact with kids who are going through catastrophic illnesses. These activities give the juvenile a different perspective on life, and a focus on others, not just themselves. College visits are also arranged by the staff. These activities are good for the students and the community. Two evidence based cognitive behavioral programs that affect behavior modification are Thinking for a Change, and Aggressive Replacement Training. These are life skills classes. The Regional Occupational Program (see glossary) provides other skills such as business technology, culinary arts, and parenting. This program also gives some students the opportunity to work in a business and learn the skills necessary to run that business. This established curriculum has assisted juveniles to obtain a job or career for their future. Since drug abuse is the central issue for Youth Guidance Center detainees, there are several programs that address this: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Assessment Recovery Relapse Preventive Treatment (see glossary), the Project Toward No Drug Abuse (evidenced based) (see glossary), and off-grounds self-help groups, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (see glossary) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) (see glossary). AA and NA come to the campus one evening a week. The other two substance abuse programs provide individual counseling, drug education, and group sessions. Individual treatment plans are tailored to each detainee's specific needs. There is an on-site psychologist and clinician to encourage goal setting. A nurse is available Monday through Friday for physical problems and assessment. Wards with serious conditions are sent to Juvenile Hall to see the doctor or to Western Medical of Anaheim. Lastly, related services continue as re-entry programs to better acclimate released youth back into society. For disciplinary procedures Youth Guidance Center uses the Probation Department Directive known as "The Deterrence of Unacceptable Behavior, Supervision Techniques to Prevent and Control Acting-Out Behavior." This adheres to the Administrative Directive Minor's Rights and Disciplinary Due Process.22 The staff and faculty at Youth Guidance Center have established rapport with these minors which helps create a positive atmosphere for counseling and corrective modeling. Serious discipline infractions can send a juvenile back to court or transfer them to Juvenile Hall. All investigations give the offender due process. Joplin Youth Center (Joplin) Joplin Youth Center is a minimum security correctional facility (camp) located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in Trabuco Canyon. This residential center houses boys 15-17 years of age. As of March 5, 2013, there were 57 males living in dorms. The capacity is 64 beds. 22 Administrative Directive 3-1-043 "Behavior Management and Disciplinary Due Process" (7/16/2012), pp.1-8. DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? Joplin Youth Center 2012 Average Daily Population 60 50 40 30 57 56 56 55 55 Males 54 51 49 46 44 20 40 10 0 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan FY 2011-12 (July 1 2011- June 30 2012) Probation Department Detention Center Expenses Joplin Youth Center: No. of Beds = 64 Sworn Employees (37) Expenses Budgeted Actual Variance
• CO6
  $ 2,255,016 $ 2,161,692 $ 93,324 Salaries $ Retirement 780,624 $ 733,359 | $ (47, 265) $ Health 372,396 $ 348,226 $ 24,170 $ Other Pay 20,496 272,850 $ (252,354) $ Sub Total $ (182, 125) 3,381,267 $ 3,563,392 $ Un-sworn Employees (11) Salaries $ 295,266 $ 283,046 $ 12,220 $ Retirement 60,928 $ 64,855 $ (3,927) $ Health 57,948 $ 54,147 $ 3,801 $ 2,520 $ 7,789 $ Other Pay (5,269) Sub Total $ 416,662 $ 409,837 | $ 6,825 $ Plant 1,588,380 $ 1,224,446 $ 363,934 Food $ 113,000 (279,897) 392,897 $ $ $ Total Expenses 5,499,309 5,590,572 $ $ (91,263) Looking at Joplin's budget the variance in food expenses is high. Another concern is that the plumbing is old and problems occur. It will need to be replaced eventually. However, the need is not yet critical and no repairs are planned.23 Orange County Superintendent of Schools/Department of Education provides academic classes at Joplin High School under the Alternative Correctional Community Education Schools and Services Division. Students are offered standardized curriculum to finish credits. As the juvenile population is basically younger teens, there was one High School Diploma awarded this year. This is a Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredited school. Unfortunately, there is no full time Principal or Assistant Principal on site. This can disrupt the administrative business of the school. Although the Orange County 23 Grand Jury Inspection of Joplin Youth Center, (Dec.10,2012) DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? Superintendent of Schools/Department of Education takes care of reports, testing materials, and textbook purchases, a Principal or Assistant Principal creates a sense of authority in the school to which students and faculty must be responsible. In a small year round school (the juvenile detention schools are all year round) such as Joplin, with a high turn-over in juveniles, the Principal or Assistant Principal may be able to counsel students about their educational future, calm them down in an inflammatory situation and give praise for good assignments. An Assistant Principal is available usually only once a week at Joplin. A liaison teacher has been appointed by the Orange County Superintendent of Schools/Department of Education to function as the Principal or Assistant Principal dealing with student and faculty issues. Due to teacher contracts, teachers work 225 days a year, and the Orange County Superintendent of Schools/ Department of Education utilizes substitute teachers to cover the year round schedules. For the calendar year 2012, there were 103 disciplinary incidents usually in the substitute's class. Eight of these were considered serious (needing medical attention).24 In the year 2011 there were 202 incidents in the classroom and 23 were considered serious.25 As these juveniles are often younger than in the other detention schools, except part of Juvenile Hall, the lack of maturity is a major problem in their decision-making. The Orange County Grand Jury along with upper management of Joplin Youth Center feel that the number of disciplinary incidents is too high and warrants more supervision. The Orange County Department of Educational Programs and Services believes that the number of incidents in 2011 and 2012 is most likely not that much different than when Joplin High had a full time Principal. This remains a debatable point. Considering that the Orange County Superintendent of Schools/ Department of Education receives money from the State for each student in attendance, money for a part-time Principal or Assistant Principal should be available to help decrease disciplinary incidents. Since educational budgets in the county and the state were cut in 2008-2009, this issue has been a concern. How are these students to receive what Orange County Superintendent of Schools Department of Education contends is "...a world class education where every student succeeds"26 if there are frequent disruptions in the classroom because of the excessive use of substitute teachers and the lack of administrative oversight? Like other juvenile facilities, Joplin is using the program Thinking for a Change. They have a regular schedule and make-up sessions for this evidence-based program. It is still very difficult to expose the juveniles to all 25 lessons when they only stay at Joplin for about 30 days. Another program used at Joplin is Mobility Opportunities via Education (see glossary). A limited number of minors are allowed to job train off-site while working in an elementary school for mentally and physically challenged children. The Orange County Register reported one juvenile saying, "This helps me see that my life isn't as hard as I think it is."27 Career skills are also taught in culinary classes, 24 Disciplinary Incidents Data from Joplin High School, (Jan.5, 2013) 25 Ibid. 26 Orange County Department of Education's Financial Report 2011-2012. 27 Orange County Register: Troubled Youth Help Kids with Disabilities, July 5, 2012 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES? laundry, gardening and woodshop. Joplin was fortunate enough to have someone donate state of the art woodworking tools for carpentry. Drug abuse education is covered in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Assessment, Recovery, Relapse, Prevention Treatment program (see glossary). There is a part-time counselor and interns provide individual and group therapy on substance abuse. The Orange County Department of Education and the Probation Department have implemented the Face Everything and Recover program (see glossary). Thirteen minors are selected and mentored to become drug free. This program has transitional planning elements to prepare the juvenile for re-entry into society. Discipline follows the same basics of all the juvenile detention centers with one difference. The boys wear different colored T-shirts representing their status at Joplin. Disruptive students are removed from the classroom, dorm or cafeteria. Consequences vary from early bed, loss of privileges, loss of points used in Joplin's Citizenship Level System. To be restricted is reflected in your shirt color. Everyone knows that severe infractions, including running away, results in a disciplinary hearing and transfer to Juvenile Hall. The minor's right to due process is followed. Joplin uses incentives to reward cooperative youth. The dorm is divided into five separate groups with a Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer to direct them. The shirt color changes when a boy receives points for cooperation, helpfulness and other positive behaviors. An additional incentive is Joplin Money. Extra snacks and personal items beyond their usual allotment can be purchased with Joplin Money. Youths learn responsibility and citizenship from this program which benefits the community and society. Correctional Health Services provide a nurse three days a week.28 Joplin's isolated location causes concern when medical issues arise. In an emergency 911 is called. If a detainee needs further care or hospitalization, they are taken to a local hospital (if an emergency) or Juvenile Hall. Boys are not sent to Joplin if they are allergic to bee stings, have severe asthma, mobility challenges, or brittle diabetes. These health conditions cannot be handled medically at Joplin. Effectiveness of Detention The average thirty days of detention is a short time to change an at-risk youth's attitude and behavior. On the other hand, a dramatic drop in detention population is evidence that shorter detention is more effective than longer. Relevant pieces of missing information are: (1) what happens after a youth finishes his probation; and, (2) how many youths graduate to jails after reaching age eighteen. Juvenile recidivism is measured only against those juveniles who break probation and/or commit offenses while on probation. Records of their youthful offenses do not follow them to jail. Thus the ability to measure recidivism is very limited and calls to attention the effectiveness of the County's efforts. This is a question well beyond this Grand Jury report. 28 Orange County Grand Jury Inspection of Joplin Youth Center (Dec.10, 2012) DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT: (PART II –JUVENILE) HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR AT-RISK JUVENILES?