Detention is a stressful, traumatic and life-changing event for youth and family. Facility assessment team members should focus on ensuring that the facility’s policies and staff recognize this by helping to connect young people with loved ones as soon as possible, treating youth as whole people upon intake (and not labeling them as offenders) and demonstrating empathy and compassion.

Team members should focus on efforts the facility makes to anticipate and respond to the fear and confusion families experience by explaining what is happening and what to expect. Team members should also ensure that staff are taking steps to help youth feel safe upon admission.

This doesn’t mean simply asking about the likelihood of victimization or a youth’s involvement in unlawful activities. It means promoting the young person’s safety, defined by the standards as feeling secure in oneself and supported, protected, heard and encouraged.