Juvenile Justice Campus in Fresno County

Dario CardenasSWRK 180

Brief History on ProbationThe first juvenile court in the United States was established

in Chicago in 1899.During the last 30 years, the juvenile justice system has

experienced significant modifications. Perceptions of a juvenile crime epidemic in the early 1990s

fueled public scrutiny of the system’s ability to effectively control violent juvenile offenders.

As a result, states have adopted numerous legislative changes in an effort to crack down on juvenile crime.

Society Views Towards the Probation Department

Probation in the Fresno County is seen as a necessity to help with the transition of juveniles with criminal background to rehabilitating them back to being productive citizens of society.

Many of our youth are provided a second chance at life rather than immediate incarceration.

Deputy Probation Officers (DPOs) are viewed as being vital to our criminal justice system as they help to serve and rehabilitate many youth offenders and helping them develop social skills.

Program Services Division

Classification and Transportation

Long Term-Youth Development

Campuses (YDC LT)

Physical Health Services

Educational Services

Short Term-Youth

Development Campuses (YDC

ST)Behavioral Health

Services

Nutrition Services

Fiscal and Administrative Services Division

Audits

Budget Services

Contracts and Grants

Human Resources

Engineering

Training

Technology and Information Services

Financial Services

Federal Programs

Department of Juvenile Justice Board

Commissioner

Continuous ImprovementLegal Services

Legislative ServicesPublic Affairs

Investigations and Apprehensions

Department of Juvenile JusticeOrganizational Chart

These are the areas JJC and DRC cover

Diversion

Diversion

Diversion

Statutory Exclusion

Prosecutorial Discretion

Transfer to Juvenile Court

Informal Processing/Diversion

Dismissal Release

JudicialWaiver

Revocation

RevocationRelease

Sequence of Events for Criminal Justice System

Community Context of the AgencyThe Day Reporting Center (D.R.C.) is a community-based

treatment program; multi-disciplinary in nature; and located at the Violet Heintz Educational Academy here in Fresno, CA. 

Components of the AgencyComponents of the DRC include the following:

Education – Resource Specialists (RSP) services are available for Special Education students.

Mental Health Services and Case Management (approximately 2 hours per week).

Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (approximately 2 hours per week).

Electronic Monitoring.Probation Supervision/Case Management

Populations at RiskThe DRC targets those minors, both male and female, aged

between 14 and 18 years of age as eligible candidates for the program. 

The program contains an education component and a treatment component. 

treatment options available:standard mental health treatmentsubstance abuse treatment

Mission and AimsThe Juvenile Justice Campus is used primarily as a

detention facility to hold minors who have committed a law violation while they are being processed through the Juvenile Court. The campus offers state mandated educational services in the Alice Worsley School. Programs for minors at the Juvenile Justice Campus include the Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse Program, the New Horizons Program, as well as other commitment programs for special population of minors. Services for minors include Boys and Girls Clubs, Thinking for a Change, Faith Based Services, and programs focusing on sobriety. Specialized Programs include Planned Parenthood, Mentoring, Arts and others designed to meet the needs of the minors at the facility.

Mission and AimsDPOs try to address the needs of those juveniles who seek

their services, and in the process continually improve the quality of those services that are offered.

For instance, placing the minor on Electronic Monitoring (EM) can serve two purposes:make society feel safer have the minor not take part in any delinquent activities

Minor’s failure to be in compliance with such tasks can result in having the minor be brought back to court before a judge.

Agency’s PracticesDRC makes an intent on rehabilitating our youth. Incarceration is not an option for these youths. Probation officers supervise youth offenders on probation

through personal contact with the offenders and their families.

Probation officers monitor juvenile offenders to prevent them from committing any new offenses.

Significance of Agency in Terms of Social Justice

Social justice within my agency is very important as the DPO’s main concern is that their minors are treated with the upmost dignity and respect.

Regardless of their past, these minors keep having morals and human rights that should be acknowledged.

It is in everybody’s interest that these juveniles are given fair and unbiased trials as they are capable of learning from their own mistakes.

Significance of this Agency in Terms of Social Work Values

As Social Work professionals, we know the importance of treating people regardless of age, race, or religion with respect and we should complement their strengths and yet not look down on them for having weaknesses.

We should strive towards improving the quality of people’s lives and unleash their true unknown potential.

Ways of Preventing Juvenile Delinquency

We’ve got to proactive in our children’s lives in which positive influences, sober activities and support are made readily available from different sources.

The juvenile has got to have a strong family base and support.

Make sure juveniles have psychological support in which siblings can participate in.

Make sure we inform and educate our children about drug prevention and its long lasting effects at an early age since drug use amongst elementary students is increasing.