Facility

Arizona Superior Court in Pima County

Facility

FACILITY AND STAFF

The Detention Center provides numerous services that support a youth's physical, emotional and social development. These services include education, medical and mental health care, visitation, programming, and continuous adult supervision.

The Pima County Juvenile Detention Center is located directly behind the main Juvenile Court building. Opened in February 2000, the facility combines technology with a well-trained, professional staff to create a secure environment for youth being detained by the court. These youth are accused of conduct subject to the jurisdiction of the court that requires a restricted environment for their own, or the community's, protection while pending legal action. Youth waiting transfer to another jurisdiction, or agency, may also be held at our Detention Center.

Overseeing the operation of the living units are Juvenile Detention Officers (JDO). Our officers have received more than 200 hours of instruction within the first year. Each year thereafter officers receive 30-45 hours annually.

Areas of training include:

●	Adolescent development and trauma

●	Conflict resolution and dispute mediation

●	Crisis prevention and intervention

●	Cultural Diversity

●	Ethics

●	Drug awareness

●	First Aid and CPR

●	Non-violent control techniques

●	Programming

●	Suicide prevention

●	Emergency Procedures / Drills

●	Verbal and non-verbal communication skills

●	Character Counts!^®

The primary responsibility of Juvenile Detention Officers is to serve as a role model and mentor to our youth. They also monitor the safety, security, and welfare of all youth under their supervision.

Using Direct Podular Supervision, the officers are assigned to work inside each living unit in close physical proximity of the youth. They observe, monitor and interact with the youth at all times and in all activities. They document observations in daily behavioral reports prepared on each youth.

Our officers are also responsible for directing the daily activities of the youth. These activities include personal hygiene, school, meal preparation, and housekeeping duties. The officers model and support the five environmental essentials through skill development of our youth, as well as Detention Center policies and rules designed to maintain a safe and secure environment for all youth, staff, and visitors. Additionally, officers work with youth when they display problematic behavior and utilize behavior as "teaching moments" to encourage youth to take accountability for their actions.