Juvenile justice and community partners in San Diego analyzed data and identified the over-reliance of detention for at-risk youth committing misdemeanors, low-level felonies, and technical violations who do not pose a threat to themselves or others. These findings resulted in the development and implementation of a continuum of community interventions that serve as alternatives to detention, supporting youth in their communities. San Diego has built a robust array of community services that support youth at the first signs of at-risk behavior. From Community Assessment Teams to law enforcement diversion to Alternatives to Detention to the Choice Program and Achievement Centers. Each program serves a specific youth population and provides a different array of services and support based on the youth’s escalating at-risk behavior.
San Diego’s continuum of community interventions have proven to minimize the harmful consequences of detention, prevent youth from deeper system involvement, and ensure youth receive the programs and services they need while remaining home and connected to their family and community. These innovative programs help youth maintain family and community linkages that are critical to their success and improve public safety outcomes for these youth. The programs optimize detention alternatives to reduce the rates of juvenile delinquency, increase positive youth development and family engagement, and improve the juvenile justice system’s efficacy in serving youth. The vital programs and services youth receive secure long-term sustainable support that deliver humane outcomes by keeping youth close to home and out of juvenile justice detention facilities.
If community Interventions are not successful and/or a youth commits a high-level felony crime, youth in San Diego can be committed to the Youth Transition Campus, a unique and groundbreaking detention facility in the field of juvenile justice. The team that developed and designed the campus spent countless years researching and observing national best practices in juvenile justice facility design, supportive and clear policies, and quality programming. The goal was to create a secure facility that promotes humane treatment and positive outcomes, welcomes family engagement, and ensures the human rights and dignity of youth.
One of the key features of the Youth Transition Campus is its trauma-informed design. Every aspect of the facility is designed to minimize the risk of re-traumatization for youth who have already experienced significant trauma in their lives. The open setting environment, absence of linear hallways, and the abundance of windows and natural light all work together to create an environment that feels safe and supportive. Additionally, the campus has clear policies and programming in place that adhere to national best practices and ensure that youth are treated fairly and receive the educational, medical, and rehabilitative services they need.
The Youth Transition Campus is designed to house youth ages 12-20. The campus has 96 individual sleeping rooms, which are spaced within 8 cottages to create a sense of community and belonging. The campus also includes a standalone visitation center, a school and career technical education center, a separate cafeteria where youth are provided with meal options, and a full medical clinic that includes space and equipment for optometry and dental care. The campus also features a youth weight room, a full gymnasium, and outdoor recreation areas to encourage physical activity and improve mental health.
Another unique aspect of the Youth Transition Campus is its focus on staff well-being. The facility features separate staff dining and a state-of-the-art weight room for staff, ensuring that they can maintain their physical and mental health while working with incarcerated youth. Improved staff wellness has a profound impact on improving facility culture, reducing incidents of violence, and, most importantly, improving the long-term outcomes for youth entrusted to our care.
The Youth Transition Campus is a model juvenile justice facility not only in design and process, but also in its implementation, including staff training, purposeful education, trauma-informed and supportive assistance, and best practice programming. By providing a supportive and humane environment and ensuring that youth receive the education, medical, and rehabilitative services they need, the Youth Transition Campus is working to break the cycle of incarceration and create a brighter future for the youth in its care.
×
Sandra McBrayer
CEO, The Children's Initiative, United States
Sandra McBrayer is the Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Initiative and an internationally known advocate for children, youth, and families. The Children’s Initiative is a nationally recognized child advocacy agency. The Initiative, through collaboration and partnerships with community leaders, organizations, and government agencies develops, enhances, and strengthens policies, programs, and projects supporting children and youth.
President Clinton named Ms. McBrayer the 1994 United States Teacher of the Year, and as such she served as a national education ambassador. Ms. McBrayer participates in national and international discussions and debates, addressing issues and concerns facing children and families.
Ms. McBrayer has been instrumental in partnering with state and local government agencies and juvenile justice partners in transforming the San Diego County juvenile justice system from a punitive, correctional system, to one that emphasizes community-based interventions, alternatives to detention and detention facilities that are therapeutic and rehabilitative. She has been leading the charge to develop a system and facilities that are based on trauma informed care, positive youth development, evidence-based treatment, and youth and parent engagement.
Ms. McBrayer has been appointed by the former California Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown to chair the California State Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, a federally mandated U.S. Department of Justice committee. She accepted appointments from both the previous governors and received senate confirmation to serve on the California Correction Standards Authority Board and chaired the California Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparity Committee.
×
Tim Hancock
Executive Director of Justice, Vanir, United States
Tim Hancock is a well-respected leader in the criminal justice system and currently serves as the Executive Director for Justice for Vanir. As the Executive Director for Justice for Vanir, Tim is responsible for overseeing the organization's mission to drive change and make a positive impact on the lives of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, specifically with facilities. He is a staunch advocate for reform and is committed to working collaboratively with community members, stakeholders, and policymakers to create positive change.
Tim’s extensive career spans over 27 years. He retired in 2022 from the San Diego County Probation Department, where he held numerous leadership positions including several superintendent roles.
Throughout his career, Tim has been a driving force behind efforts to create a more trauma-informed, service-oriented, and community-friendly justice system. He oversaw the implementation of innovative programs that helped to improve outcomes for youth in the system. In his final years at the Probation Department, Tim led the development, design, and construction of the nationally recognized Youth Transition Campus (YTC) project. He worked closely with stakeholders and partners to secure funding and establish a clear direction for the project.
×
Mike Dempsey
Executive Director, Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators (CJJA), United States
Mike is CJJA’s Executive Director. He previously served as Executive Director of the Indiana Department of Corrections, Division of Youth Services from 2009 to 2015. He began his work with the Indiana Department of Corrections as Superintendent of the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility in June 2006.
Prior to moving to Indiana, he served as the Superintendent of the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex for approximately two and a half years. He began his career in corrections with the Missouri Department of Corrections, starting as a Corrections Officer at the Missouri State Penitentiary in 1985. Since that time, Mike has held positions as a Correctional Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Major. He has also held positions as Correctional Training Officer, Internal Affairs Investigator, Assistant Superintendent and Associate Superintendent.
He has extensive experience with CJJA and Performance-based Standards (PbS). He had been a member of the CJJA Board of Directors for four years and served for two years (2012-14) as president.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and Criminal Justice and has been actively involved with the American Correctional Association as a member and certified auditor.
