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1. How secure is the detention facility?

The detention facility is of masonry construction. Staff control all interior and exit doors through electronic means and a video surveillance system further ensures for community safety. The recreation area is entirely enclosed with a back up chain link fence with controlled access.

2. Why do some youth need to be detained?

Youth who commit serious offenses within our community pose a risk to the community and themselves. They require temporary detention until a plan can be effectively put in place to ensure their safety and the safety of the community.

3. Will it just be a detention facility?

No. The center is comprised of the Churchill County Juvenile Probation Department and Teurman Hall. The probation and Administrative offices are located in the non-secure portion of the center.

4. What are the advantages of having the detention facility in our community?

It will:

• Allow juvenile probation to collaborate with local medical, mental health, drug and alcohol care providers, social services, and the school district to ensure decisions made are in the best interest of youth and families
• Enable Juvenile Probation the opportunity to provide youth and their families with needed services in a centrally located facility
• Guarantee bed space for those youth needing to be detained
• Provide a better opportunity to address the youth's delinquency and protect the community in a safer and more cost efficient manner
• Provide the best opportunity to impact youth's behavior

5. What criteria are used to determine if a youth is to be detained?

Nevada law is very specific on the youth we can and cannot detain. One of the following criteria must be met:
The juvenile is likely to commit an offense dangerous to himself or the community, or likely to commit damage to property
The juvenile will run away or be taken away so as to be unavailable for proceedings of the Court
The juvenile is a fugitive from another jurisdiction
The juvenile was brought to the probation office pursuant to a court order or warrant
Has been taken into custody for Domestic Violence (must be held at least 12 hours)
The juvenile has committed an offense involving the possession, use of, or threatened use of a firearm

6. How long can individual youth be detained in the Detention Facility?

The period of detainment is at the discretion of the Court. The majority of youth will be detained between 3 to 5 days before being released back into their home. It is the goal of the probation department during those 3 to 5 days to resolve issues and offer services to lessen the risk of the youth. Youth who continue to pose a risk to themselves or others will continue to be detained. Youth may be detained for longer period of time. Those youth include:
Those awaiting placement into a program or correctional facility and;
Those awaiting a court appearance and who are deemed to be a flight risk or a severe risk to the community. The normal time frame for such youth is 30 days.

7. How will the facility maintain control of the youth who are detained?

The facility aims to encourage positive interaction with staff and peers in order to develop a safe and secure environment, enhance positive life skills, and gain the cooperation and compliance of the youth while in detention. The detention facility's goal will be "Prevention and Resolution" of problem behavior.

The first step in achieving cooperative behavior is to ensure that rules and expectations are known, understood, an followed. This process will begin during orientation and will be reinforced daily. Another important component to ensuring a safe and secure environment will be to provide a mechanism to recognize the youth for their positive behavior while in detention.

The facility will use a "Levels System" which will be a means for the youth to receive positive reinforcement for pro-social behavior. Youth will achieve a higher level by completing the standard requirements for progression.

For those youth who are non-compliant, a system of consequences will be imposed. Those will include room restrictions, loss of privileges and depending upon the severity, further legal action.

8. Are the youth allowed visitors?

The detained youth are allowed visits which are usually restricted to their parents/guardians only. Visits are subject to limitations established in policy. Detained youth are also authorized, per Federal and State law, to receive phone calls (parents/guardians only) and letters (with restrictions).

9. If you are not a parent or guardian, can you visit?

The short answer is no. There are exceptions to his rule which are:
Other family members beside parent/guardian can visit if special permission is given by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer (cases where a youth is about to be transported to a facility outside the community would be a possible example);
Lawyers, counselors, and assessment agencies are authorized to visit the youth; and
Clergy

10. How are juveniles released?

Juveniles are not released from the facility without proper authorization and a responsible adult to release them to.

11. Can I tour the facility if I am over 18 years of age?

No, for the confidentiality of juvenile offenders housed in the facility. A tour request must be made to the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer/Facility Director in writing and will include the specific date and time of the tour and a list of the tour members and the purpose for the tour, which is reserved for our County Commissioners and/or staff of similar surrounding facilities. All persons touring the facility will be advised verbally of the mandate concerning confidentiality of juvenile offenders. At no time will be public be allowed to see or speak to any juvenile who is detained within the facility.

12. Can I bring my child on a tour of the facility?

No one under the age of 18 is permitted inside the living areas of the facility.

13. Can I drop my child off at detention to teach them a lesson?

No, the detention facility will only hold youth who meet detention criteria.