Sonoma County Juvenile Detention

Sonoma County's new, modern Juvenile Hall has the capacity to provide secure residential housing to 140 youths. In order to meet Sonoma County's needs well into the future, the building was designed to support the expansion of up to 100 beds, providing the potential of a 240-bed facility. A variety of housing types were incorporated to enhance program and management flexibility. Each of the seven housing units includes program, school and activity spaces designed to support a decentralized operational program for efficient use of staff and maintenance of safety and security. The housing units were also designed with a focus on overall environmental quality, which reduces tensions and assists our Juvenile Correctional Counselors in effectively managing the population.

Each unit includes programming, educational and activity space. The housing units are designed to support decentralized programming in order to target specific needs of the youth and to support the principles of direct supervision. This type of design has been shown to reduce violence among juveniles and increase potential for rehabilitation. In addition to this design, the Juvenile Hall uses a progressive behavior management system that generates clear and pro-social expectations along with positive behavior change.

Program Description – The primary function of the Sonoma County Juvenile Hall is to provide temporary, safe, and secure detention for youths who are beyond the normal controls of the community. Youth are detained in Juvenile Hall pending their Juvenile Court Hearings, while they are serving short-term commitments, or awaiting out-of-home placement in a foster/group home, camp or other institution. A very small percentage of minors apprehended by law enforcement agencies are actually detained in Juvenile Hall and the balance is released to their parent(s)/guardian(s).

Our most valuable resource at Juvenile Hall is our staff team. Our Juvenile Correctional Counselors recognize that they serve as role models who uphold high professional and ethical standards of behavior. Mutual respect and professionalism are projected through staff appearance, attitude and approach to the minors and the community they serve.

Juvenile Hall uses a variety of programming to target specific needs of the individual such as: Adolescent Treatment Program: supports youth with drug and alcohol issues

• Adolescent Treatment Program: supports youth with drug and alcohol issues
• Arts and Crafts
• Beat Within: creative writing
• Book Club
• Boys and Girls Club: delivers weekly strength and evidenced-based programming and structured recreation
• Boys Council
• Extensive case planning to promote behavior change including Interactive Journaling, Carey Guides, and the Positive Youth Justice (PYJ) model for longer-term youth
• Fitness Program
• Friendly Visitors
• Garden Project
• Girls Circle
• Girl Scouts
• Guitar Program (Electric & Acoustic)
• Success Centers/ Imagine Bus Project: Art
• Mindfulness
• Movie Nights
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Paws As Loving Support (PALS)
• Restorative Resources
• Special Events: Scheduled throughout year
• Spiritual Advisors
• Tutoring Verity: Individual counseling as needed
  • Teen Assault Prevention Program presentations
  • My Strength; Healthy Relationships; Tolerance/Diversity Groups
  • Sexual Assault Advocate on-site