juveniletop.gif (3232 bytes)       

ctop_2.gif (641 bytes)ctop_3.gif (1177 bytes)
                                                                                                                        home.gif (1409 bytes)feedback.gif (1665 bytes)

Introduction to the Division of Juvenile Corrections


Primary Responsibilities of the Division of Juvenile Corrections (DJC)

 

The Wisconsin Legislature outlines the objectives of the juvenile justice system in the Juvenile Justice Code in s. 938.01 (2), Stats.:

 

 "...to promote a juvenile justice system capable of dealing with the problem of juvenile delinquency, a system which will protect the community, impose accountability for violations of law and equip juvenile offenders with competencies to live responsibly and productively."

 

The DJC is a division of the Department of Corrections (DOC) with the central administration being in Madison. DJC has two primary responsibilities:

Southern Oaks Girls School (SOGS)

Lincoln Hills School (LHS)

Ethan Allen School (EAS)

SPRITE Program (type 1 program)

 

DJC provides correctional supervision and offers programs and services to youth during their placement at a JCI. Generally, youth have time remaining on their court commitment orders upon their return to the community. On an average youth continue to be on correctional supervision for 3-4 months after leaving a JCI, except for serious juvenile offenders who may remain on supervision for 2-3 years. The table below summarizes the phases of a youth’s supervision. Following the table is a description of the DJC standardized case management system.

 

Phases of DJC Supervision of a Youth

Court Placement

Court Places Youth in a Type 1 Secured Juvenile Correctional Institution (JCI)

First 35 Days

  • Extensive assessment and evaluation of the youth by DJC staff

  • Orientation of youth to the facility

  • Office of Juvenile Offender Review issues order regarding youth’s placement and goals

During Youth's Supervision in the Community

  • Youth continues to work on individual goals written by agent

  • Participates in treatment and/or educational/vocational programs

End of Community Supervision

  • Expiration of court order

  • Administrative discharge

  • Return to the JCI for violation of rules

 

Case Management System

DJC uses a standardized case management system from the time of admission to an institution until the end of correctional supervision. It incorporates the principles of widely accepted juvenile correctional practice, reflects current law and DJC's Mission and Vision Statements, principles, and goals.

 

The system ensures that a youth’s needs and strengths are carefully evaluated. The backgrounds of DJC youth tend to be diverse and complex. Therefore, numerous DJC and non-DJC individuals participate in putting together all the pieces of the puzzle to assist each youth to successfully return to the community. The DJC Case Management Manual describes in detail policies and procedures relating to case management.

 

The Individual Case Plan (ICP), Progress Summary and program activity documentation make up the core elements of the case management system. The ICP includes broad goals, description of objectives to be met to achieve each goal, and specific tasks for the youth to complete. Each written objective must meet the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-dated.

The social worker in the correctional institution or the agent in the community who writes the ICP completes a progress summary every 90 days based upon observations, consultations with other staff and program activity documentation. It describes the youth’s successes and challenges during the last 90 days, and forms the basis for modifying goals and/or objectives in the ICP.

 

Characteristics of DJC Youth

 

Type 1 Secured Juvenile Correctional Facilities

DJC Home