INTAKE/INVESTIGATION
The Intake/Investigation Unit is the ''front line'' of the Pierce County Juvenile Court. Most cases begin their journey through the Juvenile Justice System in this unit.
The probation officers in this unit have the responsibility for youth who are not already on probation and who are in detention at Remann Hall. The probation officers must evaluate each youth's situation in regard to release or continued detention prior to the first appearance in court. To complete this investigation, it is necessary to make contact with parents, schools, community agencies, and any other source that may have knowledge of the youth. This is all accomplished in a short period of time, as detained youth must appear in court within 24 hours of their entry into detention. Intake probation officers provide the judge with a written recommendation as to detention or release, based on the gathered information.
Intake probation officers transfer the case to the Community Supervision unit after arraignment for completion of a risk assessment, Report to Court, and court appearance for disposition. The exception to the transfer directly after arraignment are those cases that are determined to be potential 'low risk' youth. When a youth is identified as a potential 'low risk' to reoffend, based on the initial interview, the Intake probation officer completes a pre-screen Risk Assessment, a short Report to Court and the disposition process. The case is then transferred to the Low Risk caseload. Intake probation officers do not carry a probation caseload.
Intake probation officers deal with detained 'out-of-state' runaway youth, arranging with other jurisdictions the transportation of these youth to the state of legal residence. Probation officers in the Intake unit also work with other counties in the State of Washington regarding warrants and transportation.
All of the commitment, decline, and mandatory adult jurisdiction cases are taken through disposition in the Intake unit.
ALTERNATIVE DETENTION SERVICES
The Alternative Detention Services (ADS) unit's primary function is to provide detention alternatives wherein youth are held accountable for their behavior and the community is protected. Personal responsibility for one's behavior is emphasized and ensured through the active supervision of the youth.
The ADS unit started in January 2004. Although primarily a pre-trial service, we have expanded our programs to include post-adjudicated probation violations.
Youth are court-ordered into the various programs. Youth released under the ADS programs are still in detention, just not 'secure' detention. A contract outlining the expectations of the programs are read and explained to both the youth and the parent/guardian. Youth who violate these expectations can be required to turn themselves in to secure detention where they are brought back in front of the court to explain their disregard of the requirements.
The overarching mandate is to keep the community safe while ensuring accountability for the youth's actions and behaviors.
The ADS unit has numerous programs that provide accountability and supervision, which include: Community Detention (CDET), Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM), Evening Reporting Center (ERC), Day Reporting School (DRS) and Weekend Alternative Detention.
Community Detention (CDET) is a court-ordered, seven-day-a-week program which is used in lieu of secure detention.
Community Detention Monitors are responsible for actual face-to-face contact and phone calls. The frequency of the contact depends on the assessed supervision needs of each youth. Random unannounced visits will be made at home, school, work and appointments regardless of a youth's supervision phase.
The team of Community Detention Monitors is carefully trained to detect violations of the court-ordered release conditions or potential threats to public safety. Monitors report any changes in a youth's home or school situation. If a youth engages in any activity that places the public at risk, he/she may be withdrawn from the program and held in secure detention.
The Community Detention Program has created an avenue in which youth can continue with school or work and maintain their community ties, support systems, or alternative care. In addition, youth are closely supervised, held accountable and are returning to court.
Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM) is an alternative detention program which allows the Court the option of releasing youth from secure detention who need enhanced supervision and structure. Without EHM, these youth would remain in secure detention.
The youth's compliance is monitored electronically. The youth wears an ankle bracelet that is placed on the youth by a court employee. A transmitting unit is attached to the family phone. A daily report for each youth is generated by the central computer and transmitted to the Electronic Monitor Coordinator by e-mail. This information is examined and any violations of the authorized schedule are transmitted to the assigned probation officers for further consideration and action if necessary.
The Evening Reporting Center (ERC) is an alternative to juvenile detention for youths who violate probation or pre-trial orders of the Juvenile Court. Participants are court-ordered to the ERC. The Juvenile Court judge and probation officer decide the length of stay at the ERC, from 5 to 20 days. Staff may pick up and drop off youth. Depending on the Court's order, youth will attend every night for up to four weeks. The ERC is open Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Weekend Alternative Detention is a day program developed as an alternative to secure detention. The Alternative Detention Program is a very interactive, 'hands-on' two-day program. Youth are required to participate in all aspects of the court. This includes possible role-playing, group discussions and a physical fitness component.
Youth focus on skill-building techniques to help prevent a reoffense or probation violation. It helps them look at their risk factors and develop a plan to reduce these.
COMMUNITY SUPERVISION
This unit provides community supervision to moderate- and high-risk youth who are placed on probation by the court. The needs of the youth and family are determined by a risk assessment process which is administered to every youth prior to being placed on probation. The risk assessment process enables the probation officer, the youth and family to focus on certain domains in his/her life that contribute to the offending behavior. The youth and family are referred to services to address these areas. While providing case management services to the families, probation officers are also responsible for ensuring accountability and community safety.
Community Juvenile Accountability Act (CJAA)
The Community Juvenile Accountability Act (CJAA) was enacted for the primary purpose of providing interventions that were research-proven to be effective in reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders.
The CJAA programs that the Pierce County Juvenile Court uses are Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and Aggression Replacement Training (ART).
A juvenile's eligibility for any of these programs is determined through the risk assessment process.
Additional specialized programs within the Community Supervision Unit include Chemical Dependency Disposition Alternative (CDDA) and Special Sex Offender Disposition Alternative (SSODA).
CDDA Program (Chemical Dependency Disposition Alternative)
To those youth granted the opportunity to participate, this program provides community-based treatment and supervision services in a specialized caseload consisting of chemically dependent or chemically abusing teenagers. Whether a youth is involved in a suspended commitment or local sanctions disposition, the framework of the program involves treatment and lifestyle change to promote a clean and sober environment.
An evaluation determines the level of treatment, which includes both outpatient and/or inpatient drug/alcohol treatment. This is further supplemented with sober support meetings and sponsors/mentors when available. Thirty to ninety-day reviews are held in open court and involve the treatment providers' reports to discuss progress and recommendations for a continuation of services. Depending upon a youth's compliance and accountability towards the program criteria, he/she may successfully graduate, complete or face revocation from the program.
SSODA Program (Special Sex Offender Disposition Alternative)
This program is limited to the first-time adjudicated sex offender. The offenders are assessed to determine amenability to treatment and risk to the community. If the Court determines that community-based treatment is appropriate, offense-specific treatment, intensive counseling, and close monitoring is provided by probation counselors assigned to this unit. The goal of this program is to target first-time sex offenders and aggressively pursue treatment. Youth failing to meet stringent requirements of supervision have their commitment revoked.
