</p>
<h3>Welcome</h3>
<p>LawForKids.org staff were invited to tour the Pinal County Youth Justice Center to show what life is like for a juvenile in care. The tour provides pictures and information to learn more about the facility and its programming. If you are a visitor, enter through the front glass doors and proceed to the front desk. Youth who will stay at the facility are brought to the side driveway entrance.</p>
<p>The Pinal County Youth Justice Center is in Florence, Arizona. This facility houses juveniles from Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz Counties. The facility can hold between 40 to 45 youth and the average stay is between 3-4 weeks. The Pinal County Youth Justice Center is the temporary placement of a youth accused of a delinquent act, while awaiting the outcome of his or her case in court. The purpose of Youth Justice Center is to house youth who, by virtue of their alleged offenses or documented prior histories, pose a serious public safety or flight risk.</p>
<p>The Youth Justice Center is only used, when NECESSARY, for those youth that:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pose community safety issues if released until their appointed court date.</li>
<li>May fail to show up for their appointed court date.</li>
<li>May re-offend or get re-arrested if released before their appointed court date.</li>
<li>Do not have a place to go while waiting for their court date.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>*The content in this tour was reviewed and approved by Pinal County Justice Center staff in June 2023. Any updates or changes to the facility after this date may not be captured in this narrative/virtual tour. Please call the facility directly for any updates or clarifications.</em></p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
PINAL COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY
</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Intake Center</h3>
<p>Juveniles who have allegedly committed a delinquent act are escorted by police through this entrance. The police officer drives their vehicle through a secured driveway into a specialized parking area. Staff from the center must open the door from the inside. When youth enter the facility, they are brought into the Intake Center.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
INTAKE CENTER
</p>
<h3>Processing</h3>
<p>Once inside, the juveniles are released from police custody into the care of the Youth Justice Center. After the juvenile’s release to the Center, the staff are responsible for their health and safety and the youth are expected to follow the rules.</p>
<p>Youth are screened using the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Second Version (MAYSI-2). A 52 yes/no questionnaire is asked to screen for potential issues with alcohol, drugs, somatic complaints, sexual abuse, and overall mental health.</p>
<p>All personal property is removed, except for eyeglasses. Items are cataloged and then stored in identified boxes in a locked holding area. The youth is then given a medical check, the use of a private shower, and provided food if they have not eaten recently. Once they have been processed into the facility, they are given the chance to call a legal guardian.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
PROCESSING
UNIFORM
</p>
<h3>Holding Cell</h3>
<p>Within the intake center are two specific areas that are not often used, but available if necessary. One is a holding cell that is only used if the youth is violent and a safety risk to the staff and others.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
HOLDING CELL
</p>
<h3>Reverse Airflow Room</h3>
<p>Within the intake center are two specific areas that are not often used, but available if necessary. One is a single medical room that is provided and referred to as a “reverse airflow room”. This is only used if there appears to be a mental health risk or COVID or TB (rarely seen). Within this medical holding area, there are both showers and medical treatment space within the cell.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
REVERSE AIRFLOW ROOM
</p>
<h3>Transition</h3>
<p>Before going into their assigned pod, the youth undergo an orientation period for 5-7 days. This time is utilized to help the youth become familiar with the daily routines and procedures of the Center. This also provides the facility with time to access their school transcripts so that the youth can continue their education while in care. Youth will complete daily education packets while in the transition unit.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
TRANSITION
</p>
<h3>Pods</h3>
<p>All pods have the same general design of a main area with desks, television, showers, and eating area. There are 4-8 youth assigned to each pod. Also included in the pods are single person rooms. The rooms consist of one bed, a sink, toilet, and metal mirror. Youth are only allowed in their rooms to sleep and complete their morning hygiene.</p>
<p>Meals are eaten with their assigned pod in the central living area within that pod. Food is prepared and brought to the facility. In each pod, a meal schedule is available for review. The youth at the Center are provided with 3 meals a day and a snack.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
PODS
</p>
<h3>Shower</h3>
<p>Each pod contains a shower area, where the youth are allowed 7-10 minute showers daily. On predetermined days, dirty bedding and clothing are collected and cleaned. Fresh linens, towels, and uniforms are provided outside their assigned room.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
SHOWER
</p>
<h3>Hygiene</h3>
<p>In each room there is a toilet and a small sink along with basic toiletries including soap, shampoo, and deodorant which are kept in view on the shelf in the room. Additional essentials can be earned, such as conditioner, beauty bar soaps, and flavored toothpaste. Youth complete their daily hygiene in their room each morning.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
HYGIENE
</p>
<h3>Physical Activity</h3>
<p>In addition to tending to the intellectual development of the youth, physical development is encouraged. The facility is required to provide all youth at least 1 hour of large muscle physical activity per day. The Center has several options for this. There is a generous outdoor area where one can find a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a grassy area for various activities and a newly laid running track.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
</p>
<h3>Secondary Outdoor Area</h3>
<p>The facility is required to provide all youth at least 1 hour of large muscle physical activity per day. If the outside area is not available, there is a smaller secondary area that has basketball hoops. This outdoor space provides shade with canvas coverings. This additional athletic opportunity is available to those who have earned the privilege.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
SECONDARY OUTDOOR AREA
</p>
<h3>Indoor Activity and Religious Services</h3>
<p>There is an indoor activity room for yoga, an indoor treadmill, and some specific muscle development machines to help develop smaller muscle groups. The Center is always looking for new equipment to help the youth with their physical health. If you wish to donate equipment, please contact the Center using the main phone number.</p>
<p>Spiritual needs are met in this room. On scheduled Sundays, clergy that have been fingerprinted, screened, and approved by the Center are available to come and offer religious services. Currently, services are offered in both Catholic and LDS denominations.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
INDOOR ACTIVITY AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES
</p>
<h3>Education</h3>
<p>The Center provides for the educational needs of the youth. Bolstered with a nationally accredited curriculum and technical resources, students attend morning and afternoon sessions each weekday, even during the summer. Schooling is required of all residents with individual education plans developed based on the academic need of the youth. The education staff obtain the juvenile’s school transcripts and develop a plan specific to each individual’s needs.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
EDUCATION
</p>
<h3>Education Continued</h3>
<p>The students are offered basic schooling from certified teachers, credit recovery options, and the opportunity to prepare and earn their GED within the facility. On-site testing opportunities give students the options to test and earn various certifications, including the ability to attend online Rio Salado Community College coursework classes for those that have earned GED diplomas.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
EDUCATION CONTINUED
</p>
<h3>Library</h3>
<p>One of the features in the Center is a well-stocked library for the youth. The library has numerous options for allowing reading to be a center point for quiet time. The general public is welcome to donate new or gently used books to the Youth Justice Center Hope Library. This can be accomplished by dropping books at the Center or mailing them to 470 W. Adamsville Rd, Florence, AZ 8513.</p>
<p>There is a library cart that is sent around to the pods with books that students can choose to read and return. This helps youth that are not able to get to the library or have already read their books.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
LIBRARY
</p>
<h3>Programs and Reward Recreation Room</h3>
<p>Juveniles that have earned extra privileges are offered time in this recreation room. In this room youth can enjoy movies, games, and popcorn to reward good behavior. This can also house programs and presentations from outside groups working with the youth.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
PROGRAMS AND REWARD RECREATION ROOM
</p>
<h3>Nurse's Waiting Room</h3>
<p>The physical and medical needs are met in the newly renovated nurse’s area. In addition, youth can visit the medical room with the submission of a request and/or permission granted by the staff during opening hours. These hours are during the times the youth are awake and participating in their daily schedules. Off-hour emergencies are cared for by medical staff that are called in from the Pinal County Adult Detention Center, located near the Center.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
NURSE WAITING ROOM
</p>
<h3>Nurse's Office</h3>
<p>The medical staff facilitates the medical exam given to the youth after the court determined stay has begun. This would include the opportunity to discuss prescribed medications and preexisting conditions. All regularly prescribed medications are administered by the medical staff here. If youth have prescribed medications, their families can work with the juvenile probation officer to ensure the medications are given to the Center medical staff.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
NURSE OFFICE
</p>
<h3>Counseling</h3>
<p>In addition to medical needs, emotional needs are also cared for. During the daytime hours, counselors are available to the youth as needed. Counselors also see youth who are under treatment prior to their stay or who have been court ordered to speak with mental health professionals.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
COUNSELING
</p>
<h3>Time-Out Room</h3>
<p>In addition to medical needs, emotional needs are well cared for. During the daytime hours, counselors are available to the youth as needed. In the event of need, there is a “time out room” provided with seating and where soft restraints are available should there be need. These events are fully monitored by staff and counselors and the medical staff are placed on alert.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
TIME-OUT ROOM
</p>
<h3>Court</h3>
<p>The legal needs of the youth have been carefully considered. Within the facility, there is an area that can serve as the courtroom both in an on-site capacity and a fully operational video court call option. In some areas of the Center there are meeting rooms for legal and paraprofessional staff to meet with their clients, and for certain county needs, a dedicated “video call” room. Youth may also attend court in the public buildings off-site.</p>
<p>The advisory, adjudication, and disposition hearings for many juveniles in Pinal County take place at this Youth Justice Center.</p>
<p>An <strong>advisory hearing</strong> is a formal court process where the juvenile is told about the charges against him or her and can admit or deny them. Rules of Procedure for the Juvenile Court, Rule 28 (A).</p>
<p>An <strong>adjudication hearing</strong> is a trial in front of a judge only (not a jury), where the court determines whether the juvenile committed the alleged acts. Rules of Procedure for the Juvenile Court, Rule 29 (A). The court may make a finding that the juvenile is delinquent or incorrigible.</p>
<p>A <strong>disposition</strong> is when the youth is told what consequences the court has decided. Rules of Procedure for the Juvenile Court, Rule 30.</p>
<p>(After you are done with this tour, you can learn more about advisory, adjudication and disposition hearings by going through the <a href="get-involved/virtual-tours/maricopa-county-juvenile-court-tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Juvenile Court Tour</a> on this website.)</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
COURT
</p>
<h3>Call Room</h3>
<p>In this room there are many options for the making and accepting of approved outside calls. These supervised calls could be between the youth and approved contacts, conference calls with outside medical personnel, or legal team calls. These options can all be accommodated in this call/conference room. Each youth is allowed a call home, at least once a week, and is restricted to families and contacts that have been preapproved by the juvenile probation officer in charge of the youth. More frequent calls are earned through good behavior.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
CALL ROOM
</p>
<h3>Visitor's Waiting Room</h3>
<p>After being checked in at the front lobby, visitors will come through the door and enter this visitation room to check in at the front desk. While the visits are limited to juvenile probation officer approved adults only, younger sibling visits can be earned and are offered through approval from the juvenile probation officer. Nothing but coins for the vending machine may be taken into the visitation area. All personal belongings must be left in the lockers in the main lobby.</p>
<p>There are seats to the left of the reception desk to wait until you are escorted back to the visitation area. While waiting, visitors may reflect on the motto on the wall: “All Children Are Capable of Success…No Exceptions!”</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
VISITOR WAITING ROOM
</p>
<h3>Indoor Visitation Room</h3>
<p>The Center has indoor seating for visitation. There is no physical contact between guests and the youth except for an initial hug. Snacks may be purchased in the vending machines and shared with the youth they are visiting. Gifts from home are not accepted. Times and days of visits are noted in the Pinal County Youth Justice Center Youth Handbook provided in the lobby and website and subject to change as staffing needs are met.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
INDOOR VISITATION ROOM
</p>
<h3>Outdoor Visitation Space</h3>
<p>The Center has a visitation room that offers an outdoor patio and is an option if staffing is available. The same rules apply for indoor visitation and for outdoor visitation.</p>" class=" n2-ss-slide n2-ow n2-ss-slide-8">
