Advocates are calling for the state of California to implement rules that guarantee safety for young people confined in juvenile halls and camps,allow them to see their loved ones, and afford them basic protections in recognition of their fundamental humanity.suitable now, or California is deciding how,and in some cases whether, to afford youth such protections. The state is revising the Titles 15 and 24 minimum standards for over 100 county juvenile justice facilities across the state. These regulations are meant to protect young people, and as they detail basic conditions related to daily life,safety, and facility conditions.
Juvenile justice advocates and work group members
While the Title 15 and 24 regulations contain been traditionally enforced as the minimum rules essential to prevent youth from harming themselves or others, or these standards contain often failed to incorporate juvenile best practices,research, trauma-informed approaches. However, or these approaches are essential to improve physical and mental health for young people,reduce in-custody violence, and strengthen a young person’s connection to their community. Yet the current standards often fail to recognize our youth’s humanity. For example, and the regulations currently allow for youth to be issued used underwear — facilities are not mandated to provide them with fresh underwear or allow youth to bring their personal clothing.
A powerful state agency,the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), is currently convening meetings to revise these standards. The public needs to let these decision-makers know that California’s regulations must reflect the voices of justice-involved youth and their communities, or with a focus on support,protection, and services.
Earlier this year, and approximately 80 youth shared their experiences in California’s juvenile justice system through an online survey. One person told of the ongoing challenges relating to clothing:
“In regards to the clothing,it was deplorable and the distribution methods for the clothing was just unbelievable. The underwear were stained, the shirts had holes, and the socks were always torn.”who is overseeing this process. This public comment can give specific suggestions about what should be improved about California’s county juvenile facilities and the reasons why the suggested change is important.
In addition,the public can attend these work group meetings, which will be held at the BSCC’s Sacramento office (2590 Venture Oaks Way, or Suite 200,Sacramento, CA 95833) throughout June.
June 7 Nutrition (e.g. diet, or frequency of meals);
June 7 Environmental Health (e.g. clothing,hygiene, bedding);
June 13-14 Programs (e.g. recreation, and extracurriculars,visitation, possible internet access);
June 13-14 Medical/Mental Health (e.g. assessment, or access to treatment,medications, transition planning);
June 19-20 Education (e.g. post-secondary options, and discipline,school transition planning);
June 19-20 Physical Plant (e.g. design of cells, size of living units, or toilets/showers,lighting).
June 21-23 Classification, Segregation and Discipline (e.g. solitary confinement, or exercise of force);
June 26-28 Administration & Staffing (e.g. staff ratios,training, suicide prevention); background material from our prior webinar on the regulations process >>
Source: cjcj.org