Texas Youth Commission’s Ron Jackson Juvenile Corrections Center in Brownwood, Texas is not just a detention center, for some it is a place to start over.
Unlike years past when residents were kept in a very strict style confinement, now they are encouraged to make a complete rehabilitation and start their lives over, hopefully avoiding the alternative, eventually being placed into the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system after they leave the facility when they become adults.
Administration and staff are working to make the facility more pleasant and encouraging, with bright pastel colored walls, new day room furniture and encouraging phrases found on walls of the dormitories. A Positive Benefit Intervention System is also being developed on the campus with tiers of intervention. A shift from the business/professional boundaries style approach to more supportive and more personal roles is being implemented within the staff.
“The staff has been really receptive,” stated April Jameson, Assistant Superintendent Unit II.
Tom Adamski, Superintendent of Unit I explained that Cherie Townsend, the Executive Director of Texas Youth Commission, has implemented a trauma and gender specific program. Denise Bray of Tampa, Florida has been hired to consult with the staff in how to interact with females.
Bray has given TYC a tool called “Girl at a Glance” that is a summary or “cheat sheet” that staff can use to know each girl’s needs, how they react to certain situations, and what “sets them off” or “soothes them”.
“Staff members are taught that each girl reacts differently due to certain circumstances that may have happened to them, especially those that have experienced abuse such as rape, molestation or physical abuse,” stated Jameson.
Staff is also being taught the six domains of female development which are physical, sexual, relationships, intellectual, spiritual and emotional. By using a holistic approach and considering past trauma, staff can interact with the residents more effectively. 90% of the girls have had some type of past trauma.
Core values are being learned by the residents and used by the staff for daily activities. These values include protect, respect, and connect. These are important because they are teaching the residents more self worth and respect of others.
Groups of local volunteers are important to the center, as they show support of the programs by mentoring residents and teaching a message of success. Some of these groups are from local churches/organizations and Howard Payne University. One volunteer, Sallie Davis from HPU is working to put a mural in the hallway of the PAWS dorm to give the girls in this dorm a feeling of home and pride in their dorm. For more information about the PAWS Project, click here.
“We have outstanding support from Howard Payne University for mentorship, the finest group of college men and women bringing a message of success,” stated Adamski.
Success is taught in the classrooms as well. Students are encouraged to get into career paths with programs that include food services through programs such as the Serve Safe food preparation and the Cabling/Fiber optics courses. Both of these programs offer certification that will allow the students to enter the job force in higher paying careers than just the usual student with a G.E.D. or high school diploma. Even the PAWS program offers some job training as these girls can work toward being veterinary technicians, dog trainers or groomers.
In the high school on campus, the instruction is geared toward each child’s needs. Classes are from 12-19 students per room. The school is like a typical high school with gym classes, core classes, and vocational classes. Even certification through Microsoft is available to train for pre-job skills. The only thing different is that classes change one at a time to keep order.
There are also dual credit courses offered through Navarro Junior College, Texas Tech, and the University of Texas. Negotiations are underway to work with Howard Payne University and Ranger College to offer courses in the future. With Ranger College, hopes are for Spanish classes which residents need for a recommended diploma. Currently, students can work through an online class to get this necessary Spanish course.
Joanne Finney, Principal of the Ron Jackson Juvenile Detention Center’s school stated that these changes have resulted in much success both for the staff and the students.
“Behavior referrals have gone down 33%,” stated Finney. There is also a huge reduction in negative incidents. We try to find the root of the cause to see what the child needs.”
Staff is being trained to look at what each child needs rather than while they are at the facility.
“I look at this as an opportunity to help the child to look at school as a change and opportunity,” stated Finney.
Ms. Finney also spoke of 40 new tablet computers (mounted on carts with wheels) that students or teachers can check out to do research on the school’s intranet.
Many students that are released from the center will go into a charter school to continue their education or if they graduate while they are still living at the center, they will receive either a GED or a high school diploma. The school typically will graduate approximately 25 per year on average.
Students are also taught how to do an interview and how to present what has happened to them through their experience at TYC. Through the changes on campus and the education they are provided, students are shown that there is hope and that they too can become something and be successful.
Jameson stated, “What we’re doing, we think we are headed in the right direction. TYC has changed in the last four years.”
Adamski explained their options that students have once they leave the facility.
“The majority will have the right to have their records sealed,” stated Adamski. “Others will become parolees with TDCJ and their records will reflect their more serious crimes.”
Adamski also explained that it is important to remember the value of rehabilitating these children in TYC because one day they will be our neighbors and we want them to be good neighbors.
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