Partnership with the Boys & Girls Club to be Showcased
SACRAMENTO, CA. - August 7, 2014 - The Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, often referred to as “Juvenile Hall,” is offering its fifth annual open house on Saturday, August 9. Special VIP and media tours will be held at 10 to 11 a.m.
This year’s event will proudly showcase the new Boys & Girls Club unit -- opened on June 2—that has been “transformed into an inviting, bright, dynamic Club space to offer programs and activities that will instill good character and citizenship, help youth make smart and healthy life choices, and provide them with opportunities with education and career development,” explains Shannon McPhedran, Director of Operations with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento.
In 2013, approximately 2,900 juveniles spent time in Juvenile Hall after being arrested, booked, and assessed to be at risk to the community or while awaiting appearance in court, serving custody commitments, or pending placement or delivery to other programs.
“The Probation Department is responsible for the safe housing of youth as they await Court and we have worked very hard to create an environment that encourages pro-social behavior through positive relationships, education, recreation, medical and mental health services, counseling, and programming,” said Probation Chief Lee Seale. “The effort is clearly paying off and we’ve been recognized twice, at the National level, with the Barbara Allen-Hagan Award.” The award is the highest honor bestowed upon detention facilities by Performance-Based Standards, a nationwide program created in 1994 by the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
“While it’s important we hold juveniles accountable for their criminal activity, we must also provide them with safe housing and an opportunity to change and better their lives,” said District Attorney Jan Scully. “I commend the Probation Department and the Boys & Girls Club for partnering in this effort and serving as a role model for other communities.”
Although visitors to the open house will not be allowed to see or visit with juvenile detainees, they will get a first-hand look at the programs and services offered throughout the facility.
Date: August 9, Saturday
Media Tours: VIP and Media Tours 10-11
Public Tours: Noon to 2 p. m. – free and open to all ages
Location: 9601 Kiefer Boulevard
Parking: Juvenile Hall Visitor’s Center, 4136 Branch Center Road.
Note: Security measures will be in place during the tours and all visitors are kindly asked not to bring cell phones or cameras as they are not allowed inside the facility. Probation staff will be available to guide your tour and answer questions.
In light of the partnership with the Boys & Girls Club, the guest list is quite extensive and includes numerous local and national dignitaries.
Visuals: Behind the scenes, see the rooms the juveniles live in, where they take classes, unlike anything that has ever been seen at the facility with brightly painted walls, new furniture is new and unique and innovative programming. Local dignitaries.
Please contact Ruby Jones, Supervising Probation Officer, Youth Detention Facility at (916) 875-2071.
