Class Notes 9/26/16

Monday, September 26th

Beverly Tackett’s Visit

  • Bon Air
    • 125 residents
      • 8 girls
      • the rest: males
    • Went from 7 facilities to 2
      • Going to be just Bon Air very shortly
    • renovating a lot of the buildings to prepare for increase in people
      • lots of changes being made
    • objective of department of juvenile justice
      • protecting the public by the preparing the youth to be successful citizens
    • originally opened in May of 1910 for delinquent females (originally 300 females)
      • children used to get committed for everything
      • now, they have to commit at least 3 felonies
    • 2 separate high schools
  • REMEMBER TO BRING INTO THE FACILITY…
    • Picture ID
      • Richmond ID will suffice
  • If there is an emergency in the facility, just stay calm and listen to the security officers
    • Security will always be with you, don’t go anywhere without them
  • DRESS CODE IS VERY IMPORTANT
    • no bare feet
    • no flip flops
    • sandals with straps on the back
    • appropriate clothing
      • no promoting drugs, illegal acts, negative things, etc.
    • no halter tops, tank tops, spandex, swim trunks, tight fitting clothing
    • shirts cannot be too much above the knee
    • shorts must cover at least half of the thigh
    • cover shoulders
    • preferred not to have jeans, to be safe: don’t wear them
      • sometimes they will let you in
      • NO holes
      • not tight fitting
    • no leggings
    • basically no skin showing
    • no excessive jewelry
  • NO touching the residents
  • NO personal contact with the residents
    • no personal information
  • ONLY SHAKE THEIR HANDS
  • Do not ask what they’re in for…
    • If they tell you, that’s alright
  • PREA – Prison/Rape Elimination Act
    • If you see any inappropriate behavior between residents/staff…
      • Report it
      • Federal Law
    • If a resident exposes himself to you…
      • Report it
  • CAN LEAVE THINGS ON THE BUS
  • Standards of conduct
    • no weapons
    • no firearms
    • nothing that can be used as a weapon (basically don’t bring anything besides picture ID)
    • If you have to bring medicine, only bring one dosage
    • no money
    • no valuable jewelry
    • no phones
  • if you hear residents talking about violence, escaping, etc.
    • report it
  • We are ROLE MODELS, so present an appropriate way to behave

 

Discussion

  • Juvenile in Justice
    • most striking: how miserable everyone looked
    • disheartening that none of the images are posed
      • how these people naturally are in those scenarios
    • ages were very shocking
      • girl addicted to meth at 13
      • friends, families, peers: they’re always around it
      • why??
    • ignorance is bliss
    • they were BORN into this
    • they don’t realize that there is any other way; this is their normal
      • kids don’t necessarily understand why/how they got where they are
      • that is why trading stories is so important, allows us to broaden our perspective and broaden other peoples’ perspectives
    • repeat offenders find jail to be more comforting than the real world sometimes
    • detention centers are more like homes with rehabilitation methods
    • similar comparison: freshman in college vs. detention center (new environement, meeting new people, provided meals, provided resources)
      • but one is a choice/attempt to improve your life
      • one is NOT a choice
    • go in with an open mind
      • everyone will have a different experience
    • all about understanding boundaries
    • your presence sets up the room
      • most are very people smart
      • facial expressions, reactions

 

EVERY TIME YOU GO TO BON AIR, WRITE IN THE BLOG WITHIN 24 HOURS OF YOUR VISIT. 

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