Youth in North Carolina’s juvenile detention centers (JDCs) should be in a rehabilitative environment and expect certain conditions of confinement. Generally, youth should be engaged in education, recreation, or other programming outside of their rooms (or cells) during waking hours. Youth should receive at least 4.6 hours of instruction on school days throughout the school year and summer term. Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) should have access to the supports in their IEP, and required IEP meetings should be held. Youth in JDCs should receive at least one hour of large muscle activity, such as indoor or outdoor recreation, daily. Family should be able to communicate with their young person via regularly scheduled visitation, phone calls, and/or mail throughout the week. Youth should have regular access to medical and mental health supports and nutritious meals.
The following are tips parents/legal guardians may use to learn more about their young person’s conditions of confinement and to take steps if they have concerns.
Time out of Cell
- Ask your young person how much time each day they are being let out of their cell.
- Ask if they are eating meals in their cell.
- Ask how much time each day they have for school, free time, and recreation.
- Ask your young person if they have ever been locked in their cell for discipline.
These questions will help you get a sense of how much time, if any, they are spending in solitary confinement-like conditions.
If you have concerns, reach out to the JDC director. If your concerns are not timely resolved, ask the facility director who the assigned regional manager is and reach out to that person. You can also reach out to your child’s attorney, and/or court counselor (if your child is in juvenile court).
Education
- Ask your young person how often they are going to class, and for how long, and what subjects they are learning.
- Request your child’s transcript to see what classes they were taking in their home school and what classes they are enrolled in at the JDC.
- Find out how many credits they need for graduation. You can find the classes required for graduation online.
- Request community college access for high school completers.
If you have concerns about your child’s education in a JDC, reach out to the JDC director. You can ask the JDC director who the principal for the JDC is, and you can reach out to the principal as well. You can also reach out to your child’s attorney, and/or court counselor (if your child is in juvenile court).
Special Education
- Request– in writing to the JDC facility director – an IEP meeting if you are concerned about your student’s educational progress and your student currently has an IEP.
- If you believe your student needs an IEP but does not yet have one, send a request – in writing to the JDC facility director – that the JDC evaluate your student for an IEP.
Sending an email is one way to make these requests in writing. You may consider copying your child’s court counselor (if they are in juvenile court) or attorney on the email request.
Recreation
- Ask your young person how much indoor and outdoor recreation time they get each . Ask what opportunities they have for physical exercise and how often.
If you have concerns, reach out to the JDC director. If your concerns are not timely resolved, ask the facility director who the assigned regional manager is and reach out to that person. You can also reach out to your child’s attorney, and/or court counselor (if your child is in juvenile court).
Medical and Mental Health Care
- Ask your young person if they have regular access to their prescribed medications.
- Ask your young person if the facility offers regular access to a therapist.
- Ask your young person if they have any medical or mental health care needs that are not being met.
If you have concerns, reach out to the JDC director. Advocate for trauma-informed, non-punitive responses to any expressed mental health needs. If your concerns are not timely resolved, ask the facility director who the assigned regional manager is and reach out to that person. You can also reach out to your child’s attorney, and/or court counselor (if your child is in juvenile court).
Family Contact
- Contact the JDC facility if you are having trouble setting up visitation with, making or receiving phone calls to/from, or sending or receiving mail to/from your young person. You can also reach out to your child’s attorney, and/or court counselor (if your child is in juvenile court).
Nutrition
- Ask your young person about the kinds of food they are offered and if they receive enough food.
If you have concerns, reach out to the JDC director. If your concerns are not timely resolved, ask the facility director who the assigned regional manager is and reach out to that person. You can also reach out to your child’s attorney, and/or court counselor (if your child is in juvenile court).
If you have concerns about solitary confinement conditions and/or a lack of education received by your student in a JDC, you may also contact Disability Rights North Carolina at 1-919-856-2195.
For more information on Disability Rights North Carolina’s findings from monitoring in NC’s JDCs, see our report: Behind Locked Doors – Inside North Carolina’s Juvenile Detention Centers.