Philosophy Statement

The Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center was established to provide short term care in secure custody.

Juveniles that are placed here are accused, or have been adjudicated pending Court action, or they are waiting transfer to another facility and cannot be served in an open setting.

This Facility and its Staff will provide for the Juveniles basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care, all while insuring a safe, secure, and humane environment.

A level of security shall be maintained in order to prevent escape, and to assure that the Juveniles live free of fear of assault or intimidation by Staff or other Juveniles.

The intent of the Secure Detention program is also to provide Juveniles with the first steps in the process of rehabilitation in the interest of returning them productively to the Community. While in Detention the Juveniles should experience, and be influenced by, a program that responds to their needs in a positive and socially acceptable manner. It should have guidelines, and controls, that they can use and make part of their lives. The Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center Staff should show the Juveniles positive examples of authority and models of adulthood. Every opportunity should be taken to give the Juveniles as many positive experiences as possible. The purpose of Secure Detention is not the punishment of Juveniles. 

In implementing the philosophy of secure detention, the abilities, and skills of the Staff must be relied upon to establish constructive relationships with Juveniles. Their approach should vary according to the needs of the Juvenile at any given time.

A sense of dedication to the program, and its goals is expected of the people working in the Detention Center. It is intended that by their day to day behavior, Staff members will provide positive role modeling for the Juveniles.