POLICY

The Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center is established to provide short-term care in secure custody to juveniles who are accused or adjudicated pending court action or awaiting transfer to another facility and who cannot be served in an open setting.  Specifically, the following:

•Provide for juveniles’ basic needs, such as shelter, food, clothing, and medical care.

•Protect the juveniles’ legal rights during detainment at the facility.

•Provide for the physical, emotional, religious, educational, and social needs of juveniles during detainment.

•House juveniles in a safe and humane environment maintaining the level of security necessary to prevent
escape and assure that the juveniles live free of fear or assault or intimidation by staff or other juveniles.

•Provide an alternative placement, instead of DYS commitment, for selected non-violent 1st time felony
delinquents, in a highly structured unit that concentrates on character development.

Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center will be controlled, supported, and protected with these standards in mind.



Philosophy
The Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center provides both pre-trial and short term commitments for incarceration.  Care must be provided in a non-judgmental manner equal to all, regardless of Court status (i.e. accused, adjudicated, misdemeanor, or felony).

It is our belief that structure and expectations are not viewed in a punitive nature, provided that structure and expectations are made clear and precise and are enforced in a manner that is both fair but firm and equal to all.

Due to the short terms of confinement, and the necessary emphasis on safety and security, we recognize our limitations and inability to provide long term affects on those juveniles we detain.  We further recognize that the solutions to many of the problems faced by our residents will be best addressed by the child care professionals within the many support services available to the court (i.e. Probation, Drug/Alcohol Abuse Counselors, Children’s Services, etc.).

We therefore, view our role as:  (1) a time delay, so that the Court might address the allegations against the child and identify the youth’s individualized needs; and (2) as a motivational tool for those who will attempt to address the variables responsible for creating conflict in the youth’s life.

The mission of the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”) is to provide leadership for change for youth, family units, and communities.  It operates by creating legitimate, alternative pathways to adulthood through equal access to services that are least intrusive, culturally sensitive, and consistent with the highest professional standards.  The youth, while being detained at the Center, will be controlled, supported and protected with these standards in mind.



Goals
A.To ensure the safety, security, health, and welfare of residents, staff, and the general public.

B.To represent authority in a manner worthy of respect and emulation.

The Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center will hold an annual meeting with the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and selected staff to enhance communication, establish policy, and explore problems.  Programs will be analyzed and evaluated in terms of their objectives, cost and relation to the facility’s mission, philosophy, and goals.
NWOJDC Philosophy & Mission