When a juvenile court judge or jury determines that a juvenile has committed a crime, the juvenile may be sentenced to serve time in a juvenile corrections facility or juvenile camp. These types of juvenile punishment come in a few varieties of secure and non-secure juvenile corrections facilities. A secure juvenile corrections facility is similar to a jail, with guards, locked doors, and fences. Juvenile punishment facilities are typically run by a state department of juvenile justice. A secure juvenile punishment facility may have programs that are like those offered at schools or camps. These programs may include classes in academic subjects such as math, classes in manual skills such as woodworking, and wilderness hikes.
Some secure juvenile corrections facilities are called ranches or camps, called “probation camps.” Juvenile camp is typically run by counties rather than state departments of juvenile punishment. There are different types of juvenile camp. The more common type includes conventional camps, wilderness camps, military (boot) camps, and small residential treatment camps. The types of juvenile camp vary considerably. As an example, a conventional juvenile camp is usually defined as one which is fully enclosed by fences and wires. A conventional juvenile camp typically houses between 45-100 young men or women in a dormitory-style setting with open bunk beds.
Juvenile camp typically requires juveniles to be supervised intensely, work to change problematic behaviors, make progress toward earning a high school diploma or G.E.D., and learn a vocational skill. Juveniles are typically ordered to attend a juvenile camp for a period that would allow them to make significant progress, such as three months to a year.
There are also many types of non-secure juvenile corrections facilities. These include group homes, family boarding homes, agency-operated boarding homes, hospitals, and substance abuse treatment programs. Non-secure detention facilities may have programs that are like those at schools or juvenile camp.
Juveniles who are determined to be delinquent may also be sentenced to home detention, also known as house arrest. While they are placed on home detention, they may be required to attend school or go to a program that is like juvenile camp.
Juvenile punishment can take a variety of forms from secure juvenile corrections facilities to juvenile camp. If your child is facing juvenile punishment, contact a juvenile lawyer for more information.