Ames, Allison M. Juvenile detention: past to present. 2010. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
Juvenile crime rates have been decreasing in the United States. The underlying goal of the juvenile justice system when it was established was rehabilitation but this philosophy has changed over the last few decades and now the system is more retributive in nature. The use of detention centers over the last several decades has become more wide-spread although crime rates are decreasing. Detention centers vary in security measures they use as well as how they go about managing a detainee's behavior. Some security measures that are common are high perimeter fences, high staff ratio, cameras, and the use of the control room. A popular technique that is used to control detainee's behavior is through the use of behavior management programs in which negative behavior is punished and positive behaviors are reinforced. This study examined a detention center in Virginia and looked at changes in their security measures and behavior management program since the inception of the facility in 1974. For the analysis, qualitative data was used. Data was collected from various sources including interviews, policy manuals, meeting minutes, observation of the structure of the facility, and daily log books. The results suggest that the changes to the behavioral management program and security measures were due to the Superintendent, not what was going on overall with the juvenile justice system.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | K Law > KF United States Federal Law |
| Divisions: | Radford University > College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences > Department of Criminal Justice |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Feb 2026 15:34 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Feb 2026 15:34 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/1325 |
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