(1220) Juvenile Hall Division

As part of the San Benito County Probation Department the Juvenile Hall’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for detained youth, where professional staff holds residents accountable while encouraging them to embrace positive community values, accept responsibility and cultivate healthy relationships. This mission is accomplished by ensuring staff serve as role models and project an appearance, attitude and behavior which creates an atmosphere conducive to positive change, and by working closely with our community partners to deliver research driven programs targeting the individual needs of our population.

• Updated and improved facility Wi-Fi system
• Secured SB 823 part B grant funding from BSCC for facility and programming improvements
• Maintained a safe and healthy environment for detained youth and staff with modified pandemic (COVID-19) operation guidelines
• Sustained a food safety training program for youth to obtain a food handlers certificate and prepared youth for entry-level employement in the foodservice industry
• Continued to faciliate court hearings, family visits, and youth programs via Zoom (online plateform) in light of COVID-19 restrictions
• Completed two hiring recruitments for Juvenile Hall
• Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) grant obtained through the California Department of Public Health to purchase iPads/Tablets for educational programming of incarcerated youth
• Passed the Board and State of Community Corrections (BSCC) Bi-annual Inspection
• Completed/Passed inspections:
  • Grand Jury inspection
  • Public Health inspection
  • Fire inspection by Hollister Fire Department
  • Juvenile Justice Commission inspection
  • Presiding Judges inspection

• Loss of veteran staff within the facility
• Challenges presented by the Juvenile Justice Realignment (SB 823) and closing of the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
• Providing ongoing training for exisiting staff and additional training that may be needed with the Juvenile Justice Realignment of youth formerly sent to DJJ

• Facilitate secure track youth programming that is in compliance with the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) and SB 823 Juvenile Justice Realignment Plan
• Develop and implement more evidence - based programming and practices
• Continue providing outdoor educational opportunities for youth
• In partnership with the Office of Education, develop a program for youth to participate in a community vocational education program
• Annually review and update policies to increase safety, reduce liability, and maintain compliance with Title 15 and Title 24 regulations
• Cross training of probation officer staff