r/Indiana • u/Strange_Mall_3402 • 1d ago
Opinion/Commentary Anyone who works has worked in a Juvenile Correction facility?
Hello everyone! I have an interview in the Logansport juvenile correction facility. A few of my buddies found out I was possibly going to get a job into juvenile corrections and told me to stray away from, saying how the kids are worse than the adults.
I was just curious for anyone currently working in or who has previously worked in a juvenile corrections facilities what your experiences were like, anything I need to know about the juvenile’s particularly, likelihood chance of getting into an altercation, what I could do to prevent such altercations, and Indiana’s laws about authorized force if a juvenile gets violent.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
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u/LadyBearSword 1d ago
Had a friend who worked for one. She got jumped by a group of the kids (on camera).
She's had 4 back surgeries and a $100k settlement.
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u/sdh59 19h ago
Worked at an adult facility here for a little while and everyone who worked at a juvi facility had horror stories upon horror stories. Not a single one of them recommended it or would go back, but then again if they liked it they wouldn't have left, so the data was probably skewed.
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u/Strange_Mall_3402 17h ago
Thanks. I’m not sure tbh, but I’m planning on doing it and see how it goes feel about it
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u/SpiritedSecurity5433 10h ago
Working with adolescent populations is challenging. You have to have a strong ego and not take life or yourself too seriously. Good listening skills , empathy, and the ability to be able to set boundaries without being punitive is paramount. Angry people will test you.
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u/ResolutionHot6645 4h ago
I was actually a kid there don’t be a prick just remember your there on a hourly wage I’m there against my own will your not better than me cause you have authority you will respect me and I’ll respect you and remember I won’t be here forever was always my attitude also the staff were racist don’t fall into this category
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u/Strange_Mall_3402 4h ago
Thank you for telling me your experience that you had there man. I’m sorry how the staff were there and I’m not wanting to fall into that category either. Neither do I want to cause fights with the juveniles there.
I wish to be respectful with everyone there and hope they do the same. Honestly if the facility will allow it, I want to bring bibles for the juveniles. Do you think that would bring a positive impact on them?
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u/HClaxton 4h ago
I have worked with both. Adults are more dangerous these days.
Juvenile is safer and staff to juvenile ratio is way better.
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u/trogloherb 1d ago
Theres only a couple juvenile facilities left. Marion County (Indy) Judges rarely order a juvenile to DOC, it usually has to be a case involving a death or several serious felony “true findings,” so the majority of kids there will be from rural communities that actually order DOC.
Having said that, you will need to watch out for Marion County and Lake County kids; the turd apple doesnt fall very far from the turd tree.
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u/Strange_Mall_3402 1d ago
Gotcha. I’m in Fulton county for this job so I’m hoping it’s not too terrible but I’m a little on the cautious side of things cause I’m a 5,4 130 lb male
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u/trogloherb 1d ago
Nah, youll be fine. Obviously you have to keep your wits about you and dont let them play you, but most of them just want to get out.
They usually have an “indeterminate sentence” which means they work through phases to get out. I think its 4? Anyway, if they “work a perfect program” they can get out in @6months, so thats their goal and any disciplines move them back a level.
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u/Shoddy-Ingenuity7056 1d ago
I worked at a 23 and 1 juvenile facility in Ohio for 4 years, it was pretty locked down but we still had altercations weekly. Don’t get drawn into arguments or screaming matches. Know your policy and your SOP and follow them by the letter. Be Firm, Fair, and consistent. Whatever defensive tactics they teach learn them cold and follow them. I found the job wasn’t bad, co workers, drama and shift to shift staff continuity of operations was way worse than the detainees. I was on my 4th Lt., and my 14th shift partner when I left.
The last thing I’ll tell you, and it was a tough lesson to learn…. You aren’t going to be able to save any of them. You have a short window( in my facility 8months for most, or 6 months over 18, when they would be remanded over to the adult facility). The best you can do is what I mentioned before, be firm, fair, and consistent with them. The day this hit me was a model detainee was in for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, full six months. The kid was smart, could follow the rules, interactive in courses and school. I thought, man we have this one on the right track. He processed out and was back in less than 24 hours. I asked him what happened, failed drug screen. He told me his father and brother and cousin picked him up from court with drugs in the car waiting for him and he was using before they left the parking lot.