What are my Legal Rights if I am placed in Jackson House?
What if I believe my rights have been violated?
What are my responsibilities in Jackson House?
What are the rules about phone calls?
How about visitors?
Will I make Home Visits?
Can I get and send mail?
What do I have to wear?
Will I be searched?
Juvenile's Legal Rights when ordered to the Non-Secure Detention Facility
You will not be discriminated against because of your race, color, nationality, creed, sex, physical handicap, religious or political opinions. You and all other residents will be involved in the same programs and work assignments. All residents who take part in Detention programs and services will be supervised and under the control of Detention staff.
- You have the right to be treated with respect and fairness.
- You have the right to be informed of the rules of Jackson House upon admission.
- You have the right not to be punished physically, be harassed, intimidated, threatened, hurt, assaulted, embarrassed, or made fun of. You have the right not be interfered with by another resident or staff member during times of normal body functioning; like eating, sleeping, or going to the bathroom
- You have the right to take part in religious activities, if you choose.
- You have the right to have food that is good for you, a good bed with clean sheets, a shower everyday, working toilets, good light and air, and an overall safe place.
- You have the right to have visitors...i.e. your parent(s), legal guardians(s), attorney or Case Manager.
- You have the right to talk to, write letters to and see your attorney.
- You have the right to clean clothing daily.
- You have the right to see the Detention doctor and/or nurse.
- You have the right to have your property logged and kept in a safe place.
- You have the right to talk to appropriate persons within the organization as long as it does not disrupt the order and security of Jackson House.
- You have the right to indoor and outdoor recreation (unless your behavior dictates disciplinary lock down).
- You have the right to refrain from work for which you would normally be paid, except for the cleaning and maintenance of Jackson House.
- You have the right to file a grievance while in Jackson House without being afraid to do so.
- You have the right to wear and style your hair any way you choose as long as it is not a health hazard or a distraction to other residents. Hair care products are provided by the Center daily. The same rules apply to facial hair.
- You have the right to talk with a lawyer. Your lawyer will be either a Public Defender, Legal Aid, one hired by your parent(s)/guardian, or one appointed by the Court. You have the right to have phone calls and visits with lawyers at reasonable times. Your lawyer will handle any legal complaints you may have. Juvenile Non-Secure Detention provides a grievance procedure which you can use to voice complaints about Non-secure Detention.
- You may write or ask someone to write a message to your lawyer. The message will be given to your lawyer and will not be read by staff.
- Visits with lawyers: Your lawyer may visit you at any reasonable time. If you want to see your lawyer or your worker, Non-secure detention staff will make every effort to assist you in contacting lawyers and/or worker. (top)
Grievance
Jackson House has a way for you to tell about your complaints or if your rights have been violated. It is called the Grievances Procedure.
If you have a complaint, first talk about it with staff to try to settle it. If you can’t and you want to file a grievance, the Youth Worker will give you a grievance form to fill out. You can have help with filling it out from another resident or from any Jackson House staff member who is working at the time. The Youth Worker will give the grievance to the Program Manager who will meet with you to start to research the grievnace. (top)
Responsibilities
You are responsible for following Jackson House rules, procedures, schedules and direction of staff while in Jackson House.
- You are responsible for not discriminating against other residents or staff and not using words or behaving in a way that is prejudiced or discriminating.
- You are responsible for keeping your living area clean and neat.
- You are responsible for informing staff of medical or dental care if you need it.
- You are responsible for following the rules during visits and not taking anything from or giving anything to a visitor. You are responsible for not sending or receiving anything illegal through the mail.
- You are responsible for keeping your clothes and hair clean.
- You are responsible for telling staff if you think your rights have been violated.
- You are responsible for following the procedure to file a grievance. You should tell the Program Manager about anything you witness that is against the rules.
While you are in Jackson House, the staff will write a report on you every day. They write information in the log book and individual chronological logs in reference to your attitude toward staff and other residents, notes on school attendance, participation in programs and activities, and if you were involved in any incidents or fights, etc. (top)
Phone Calls
When you come into Detention, the Screening Officer checking you in will call your parents. Your lawyer or the Public Defender, will be called if you ask. If you are unable to reach your lawyer, at that time you will be given other opportunities to call your lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, or don’t know your lawyers name your parent(s)/guardian should make the appropriate effort to contact/provide you with the information necessary to contact legal counsel.
You may make at least three personal phone calls a week to parents(s)/guardian. Phone calls cannot be saved. If you do not use your three phone calls one week, you cannot have six phone calls the next week. You are not allowed to call victims or witnesses. The phone call days/hours are Monday/Wednesday/Saturday from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. (top)
Visitors
Your parent(s)/guardian may come to see you on approved visitation days. Visitation is held four times a week. These times and days are as follows:
Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
(top)
Home Visits
Home visits are not permitted except upon the order of the Judge. (top)
Mail
The Jackson County Family Court Juvenile Division will provide stamps for letters to parent(s), and legal guardians. There is no restriction of legal mail. You may only receive and send letters to your parent(s), legal guardian(s), assigned worker, or attorney. Staff will supervise the opening of all letters received. If there is anything besides a letter inside, it will be put with your property or given to the Superintendent. You will be told if any property is kept from you. All letters received for residents who have left the Center will be forwarded or returned to the sender within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holiday. You are not permitted to send letters to victims or witnesses.
You are not allowed to have magazines, newspapers or periodicals that give instructions for making explosives, encourage violence or prejudice, encourage sexual misbehavior, that is criminal and/or against Detention rules, or that encourages the use of sale of drugs and/or other illegal substances. (top)
Clothing and Property
Jackson House residents do not need to wear uniforms. The following guidelines apply:
Shirts
Only the top button on a shirt may be unbuttoned. Shirts having musical inscriptions, alcohol and/or drug promotions, suggestions regarding sexual activity, or promoting violence, are not allowed. Shirts provocative in their message (lewd, crude, or just plain socially inappropriate, as determined by staff) are not allowed. No plain white t-shirts, tank-tops or any other sleeveless shirts. Shirts are to be tucked in unless it is a sweater or sweatshirt.
Shorts/Pants/Belts
- Shorts are to be mid-thigh in length.
- Hems on pants, jeans, and shorts are to be sewn.
- Pants/jeans are to be worn at waist level, no sagging, no rips, no holes, no writing.
- All belts must be worn at waist level, as determined by the Youth Worker. Only one pair of pants may be worn at a time.
Socks/Undergarments
- When wearing shoes, socks must be worn also. Shoes, when not being worn, must be left in bedrooms. Shoes are to be tied. Shoes must be worn in the common areas and at all times when outdoors. Slippers may be worn with staff permission.
- Youth are to change underwear and socks daily (following shower).
General Clothing Appearance
- No borrowing, No lending, No trading, No stealing of other’s clothes.
- Recreation wear is for recreation time only (gym shorts, swim suits, etc.)
- Clothing is to be clean and not torn. Rips or holes in clothing are to be mended by sewing the items. Any items that need replacement due to condition are to be sent home and a replacement provided by the youth’s guardian or case manager.
- Sandals or clogs allowed only during bedtime. Shoes must have closed heel and toe. (top)
Searches
Searches for contraband are for the safety of you and all the residents, staff and Jackson House. Contraband is any item(s) possessed by a juvenile that are illegal or prohibited by Jackson House for the any reasons. Any contraband found during a search will be taken by staff and given to the Program Manager. The consequence will be determined by the seriousness of the contraband and the Police Department may be called.
ROOM SEARCHES
Rooms will be searched every day.
STRIP SEARCHES
Upon your admittance to Detention a physical strip research will be conducted and anytime you leave the building for a doctor’s appointment, etc. If, at any time, the staff feels you are hiding something on your person, like drugs or weapons, the Supervisor can authorize staff to do a strip search.
FRISK SEARCHES
You will be frisked upon first entering Detention. You can be frisk searched when you come back from Court, after visitation or at the discretion of the staff.(top)
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