CRC Partnership with the Juvenile Detention Center
About the St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center
The St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center is part of the St. Louis Family Court. The Detention Center houses juveniles waiting to be tried for alleged law violations.
The time they are there varies greatly, ranging from 3-90 days for most people. While there, students attend Griscom School, part of the St. Louis City Public School district. Students can receive tutoring and attend after-school programs run by community groups - which is where CRC comes into the picture.
Staff at the Juvenile Detention Center treat a young person's time there as a chance to turn things around - a chance to learn in small classrooms, to improve their school skills, and to learn about subjects ranging from visual arts to child care. Programs on skills such as anger management and job interviewing help youth better participate in the community after they are released. However, there are not enough community organizations offering these important programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the students at the Juvenile Detention Center?
Most of the students at the Juvenile Detention Center are between the ages of 12-17. About 90% are boys.
How many youth are there at a time?
On average, there are about 66 youth staying at the Center.
How long do young poeple stay at the Juvenile Detention Center?
A youth's time in the Detention Center varies. The shortest stay is usually 3 days but a stay can be as long as 90 or more days. The length of the stay depends on the charges pending and when the hearing is scheduled.
What happens to a young person after leaving the Detention Center?
Youths leave the Detention Center either going to a residential facility,being committed to the Missouri Division of Youth Services, being certified as an adult, or being released to family, often on Offical Court Supervision.
Will I be safe if I volunteer?
The safety of CRC volunteers is important to staff at both CRC and the Juvenile Detention Center. The Detention Center is a secure facility, and you will always be with other adults, including other volunteers and Juvenile Detention Center staff. CRC volunteers should, of course, be mindful of their safety in any volunteer activity.
How did the Education Team choose this project?
The Education Tikkun Olam Team established early on that they wanted to do something to help students who live in the City of St. Louis, to stay consistent with CRC's location and past partnerships. The Team heard from several speakers, both employees of the St. Louis Public School District and people working on urban education through other agencies. Ultimately, the Team decided that the Juvenile Detention Center was a place serving youth with great needs that CRC could help meet.
NEXT: Quotes from Education Team Members
