SERVICE

One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.		  
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  CONNECTED

The means by which individuals access services that may or may not be provided by the organization itself. These terms are used interchangeably when individuals are connected to services either directly or by referral. See also LINKED.		  
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  PERSONNEL

The body of employees and/or volunteers that carries out the organization's tasks under the organization's administration and/or supervision. This definition does not include foster parents who are specifically referenced in relevant standards		  
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  PRACTICE

Established actions or ways of proceeding in the regular performance of organizational duties. Policies and procedures often guide practice.		  
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  PROCEDURES

Written instructions that outline the steps for performing a task(s) or operationalizing an administrative or service delivery process. A procedure can be written as a step-by-step set of instructions or as a narrative description of a process. A procedure tells someone how to do something not just what to do.

Unlike policies, procedures do not need to be approved or reviewed by the governing body, and need not be associated with a specific policy. For example, whereas a broad anti-discrimination policy requires grievance or other procedures in order to be operationalized within an organization, assessment procedures do not require a governing body approved assessment policy.

Note: Procedures are sometimes referred to as administrative policies.

  
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  SUPERVISION

Assumption of responsibility for directly overseeing and evaluating the work or work products of personnel within an organization. Also includes inspecting the act or process of accomplishing a function or activity.		  
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  CASE

A general term used to designate clients (including individuals, families, and groups) served by an organization for purposes of monitoring the provision of services. A foster care case is generally based on the placement of an individual child, although casework for the child may include services to the child's family. A child protective services case is based on an entire family household if a family assessment model is used; otherwise a case is defined as a child.		  
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  CULTURE

The customs, habits, values, skills, technology, beliefs, and religious, social, and political behaviors of a group of people in a specific period of time.		  
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  PROTOCOLS

Instruments and procedures used to accomplish a particular goal, activity, or purpose.		  
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  MONITORING

An evaluation involving a periodic review of consumer services, organizational activities, or conduct. Specifically, monitoring is an activity of case coordination, whereas more broadly, monitoring is an evaluation technique used in overall quality assurance. 		 
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  ELIGIBILITY

The degree to which an individual, family, group, or community meets the specific criteria and qualifications required to receive goods, benefits, or services.		  
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  APPROPRIATENESS

The degree to which a particular service, placement, treatment, intervention, or activity is: best suited to an individual's needs; not excessive, unduly intrusive, or restrictive; anticipated to be effective in achieving the desired and specified outcomes; and adequate or sufficient in quantity to address the problem.		  
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  COMMUNITY

A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.		  
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  PROGRAM

A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.		  
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Juvenile Justice Corrections Services
  
Private Org Public Agency  

PA-JJC 14: Maintaining Safety and Security

 
The agency maintains a safe, secure environment where youth, personnel, and the public are protected from harm.
Note: PA-ASE and PA-BSM address additional practices that contribute to safety and security.

PA-JJC 14.01

 
To promote safety within the facility, the agency considers youths’ age, size, gender, vulnerability to victimization, offense history, and ability to adjust to a group when making housing assignments.

PA-JJC 14.02

 

When it is necessary to search youth, their rooms, or their property, trained personnel do so according to procedures that:

  1. are consistent with applicable state and federal law;
  2. define when there is reasonable cause to conduct a search;
  3. minimize the invasiveness of the search;
  4. respect youths’ dignity; and
  5. establish a process and timetable for administrative review.
Interpretation: Agencies should conduct more invasive searches only when there is reason to do so, and demonstrate that these searches are: (1) conducted by qualified staff, and (2) accompanied by an increased level of administrative review.

PA-JJC 14.03

 
The agency provides sufficient supervision to ensure the safety of youth, personnel, and the public at all times, and additional personnel are available in case of emergency.
Interpretation: Personnel-to-youth ratios should be based on youths’ risks and needs, but should generally not exceed 1:8 during the day, and 1:16 at night. On-duty personnel must be awake at all times, and at least two staff members should be on-duty at all times. Same-gender personnel should be available to provide supervision and services, as needed.

PA-JJC 14.04

 

Agencies that lock youth in their rooms for routine purposes:

  1. utilize this practice to maintain safety, order, and security, rather than for purposes of discipline, compliance, or convenience;
  2. ensure that using this practice does not detract from the agency’s ability to create a culture that promotes respect, healing, and positive behavior; and
  3. do not lock youth in their rooms for excessively long time periods.
Interpretation: As referenced in the Note to PA-BSM, some agencies may lock youth in their rooms for routine purposes to maintain safety, security, and order. Although this practice does restrict freedom of movement, it differs from the types of restrictive interventions addressed in PA-BSM insofar as it is utilized on a routine, ongoing basis, rather than in response to a specific incident. It may be appropriate to lock youth in their rooms during sleep, or for other defined, short periods of time; however, because the practice is restrictive in nature, youth should not be locked in their rooms for excessively long periods, and should spend most of their waking hours engaged in meaningful and developmentally-appropriate activities, as referenced in PA-JJC 13.03.
NA The agency does not lock youth in their rooms for routine purposes, for example, during sleep periods.

PA-JJC 14.05

 

To ensure youth safety in both emergency and non-emergency situations, agencies that lock youth in their rooms for routine purposes:

  1. monitor youth while they are locked in their rooms;
  2. ensure that rooms are free from safety risks and hazards;
  3. provide access to food, water, and bathroom facilities, as needed;
  4. establish safety protocols and procedures that include plans for the immediate release of youth from locked areas in case of emergency; and
  5. train personnel and youth on emergency evacuation procedures.
related PA-ASE 3,  PA-ASE 4,  PA-ASE 6,  PA-ASE 7
Interpretation: Youth should be monitored at least every 15 minutes. If the agency uses a video camera to monitor youth, it should demonstrate that personnel are able to respond immediately if necessary. When youth are at risk for suicide or self-harm, monitoring should be face-to-face and continual.
Interpretation: As referenced in PA-ASE 3, the agency should conform to all applicable safety codes, including fire codes.
NA The agency does not lock youth in their rooms for routine purposes, for example, during sleep periods.

PA-JJC 14.06

 
Weapons are prohibited within the facility, and armed law enforcement officers are required to check weapons in a secure area.
related PA-ASE 6.01
Interpretation: If agency policy allows armed law enforcement officers to enter the agency's facilities, the agency should explain: (1) under what circumstances this practice is permitted (e.g., in emergency situations), and (2) how safety is ensured while the armed officers are on site.

PA-JJC 14.07

 

When youth have opportunities to leave the facility or interact with the public, the agency maintains safety by:

  1. defining when youth are eligible for the opportunity;
  2. evaluating youth for eligibility and appropriateness; and
  3. providing or arranging for sufficient support and supervision.
Interpretation: Relevant opportunities may include, but are not limited to: home visits, community service projects, work furloughs, meetings with mentors, and trial visits to community programs.
NA Youth do not have opportunities to leave the facility or interact with the public.

PA-JJC 14.08

 
The agency appropriately and consistently documents, reviews, and reports incidents of youth noncompliance.
Interpretation: The agency should follow any applicable policies, procedures or other rules for reporting infractions to the court or other party with jurisdiction over youth.
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PURPOSE: Juvenile Justice Corrections Services promote public safety by helping youth overcome problems and develop the attitudes and skills needed to make responsible choices, avoid negative behaviors, and become productive, connected, and law-abiding citizens.

  
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