Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center

Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 765-457-1408

This facility is for juvenile residents.

The Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center is a medium to low-security detention center located at 701 South Berkeley Road Kokomo, IN that is operated locally by the Juvenile Justice Department and holds youths awaiting the determination of punishment for the crimes which they are accused. Most of the adolescents are here for less than two years.

The Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center provides a safe and growth focused environment through the operation of Emergency Shelter Care, Secure Detention and Functional Family Therapy. Each program is licensed through the Indiana Department of Child Services or the Indiana Department of Correction. Placement can be arranged throughout the Department of Child Services or Juvenile Probation Department in accordance with the child's Juvenile Court.

The Secure Detention Unit is a twenty eight (28) bed coeducational unit designed to provide maximum security for those juveniles deemed in need of secure custody. All placements will meet detention criteria as established by the Indiana Juvenile Code. The charges of running away alone will not be sufficient for Secure Detention.

The general program structure is based on the Positive Peer Culture Model. This program utilizes the positive elements of the powerful peer counterculture to challenge negative behavior and to provide the motivation to develop more socially acceptable behaviors. The program is based on four values; Help, Responsibility, Respect and Trust. In addition, a Behavior Modification level system is also utilized. Residents are able to earn additional privileges as they advance through the level system. Problems solving groups that include residents and directed by the Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center staff, identify problems displayed by group members and develop an action plan to solve these problems.

A Care Plan will be developed and instituted for each resident within two (2) days of the commitment. The Caseworker will consult with the resident, the resident's family and any other appropriate individuals approved by the placing agency to assist with the development of this plan.

A wide variety of program services are offered to meet the individual needs of residents. An individualized education program is available to all residents and is coordinated by a certified teacher from Kokomo-Center School Corporation. Residents must attend classroom sessions five (5) days per week. Each session will last 150 minutes. Residents are transferred to Kokomo-Center School Corporation schools and complete work assigned or continue working on their home school assignments to maintain their academic status. GED preparation and testing is also available.

The recreational program is a part of the resident's daily schedule. Each resident is expected to exercise for a minimum of one (1) hour per day by participating in aerobics, organized games, or walking. An exercise plan will be created for those residents for whom it is deemed necessary.

Nurse call is available seven (7) days a week. Additional services are provided based upon need. Referral to the facility dentist, physician or a local hospital will be made when necessary. Expense is the responsibility of the placing county.

Life skills education is incorporated into the resident's daily schedule. Facilities are available within the Secure Unit for residents to practice basic skills such as laundry, meal and menu planning and food preparation.

A Christian, non-denominational, worship service is held a minimum of once per week and is open to all residents. Attendance at this service is voluntary and residents will not be penalized in any way for not attending. We will respect and attempt to accommodate worship and dietary needs of their faiths. Additional religious consultation can be arranged on an individual basis. Ministers and Youth Pastors from the child's church may schedule a visit at anytime. Each resident will be required to attend a nutrition education class once per month in addition to their regular educational classes. The nutrition class will be coordination by the Staff Dietary Manager.

Each resident will be required to attend a Communicable Disease class once per month in addition to the regular educational classes required. Information regarding AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases will be available from the Howard County Board of Health.

The counseling program will consist of all residents being involved din psychosocial education, drug and alcohol education and other established programs a minimum of once per week. The caseworker is also able to facilitate, as needed, assessments, evaluations and other services through a wealth of resources in Howard County.

The Individual Care Plan / Treatment Plan will be considered a court order and needs to be addressed as such in the commitment order by the Judge. We request that commitment orders state that the respondent is ordered to follow the Care Plan / Treatment Plan as established by the Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center, including the required follow-up programs after release. Failure to complete the Care Plan / Treatment Plan will be reported back to the court for further action and review.

Post-Dispositional Commitment

The Secure Detention Unit of the Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center meets all statutory requirements to provide Post-Dispositional Commitment. All programs and resources provided in the Pre-Dispositional Program are available, as well as, the additional services and programs as court ordered and deemed appropriate in the care plan.

Additionally, the Post-Dispositional Program can be expanded for those youth who are court ordered to the Cognitive Behavioral Change Program (CBC). The secure commitment portion can serve as Phase I of CBC where the juvenile can earn "good time" by having worked his/her individual treatment plan and be moved to Residential Treatment (Phase II) after having served at least fifty percent (50%) of the commitment time. Lack of progress in Phase II can require return to the secure detention unit to complete the original sentence, or a further portion of it, until they are ready to return to Phase II. For further information on CBC, contact the Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center and we will be glad to forward a packet and admission materials.

visitation Info

Visitation for a county or regional juvenile facility is limited to immediate family only. Mother, father, sisters, and brothers are allowed. The visitation rules are very strict, we suggest reaching out to the staff to get their specific limitations.