ABOUT ADJC

OVERVIEW

The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) is responsible for all juveniles adjudicated as delinquent and committed to its jurisdiction by the county juvenile courts. It is accountable to the citizens of Arizona for the promotion of public safety through the management of the state's secure juvenile facility and the development and provision of a continuum of services to juvenile offenders; including education, rehabilitation and treatment.

SECURE CARE

Each youth placed in secure care receives rehabilitative services appropriate to the youth's age, risk, needs, abilities and committing offense(s). This includes assessment, behavior management, treatment, education, religious services, pro-social activities, and basic services (housing, food, clothing, healthcare, legal services, family involvement, and visitation.)

Behavior management ensures the safety and security of youth by creating an undisrupted environment in which rehabilitative services can be effectively provided. ADJC uses the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) behavior modification system as a framework for promoting positive conduct through appropriate rewards and consequences.

Evidence-based treatment programs are delivered by licensed mental health professionals, master's level clinicians, and agency trained case managers. All youth receive Core Cognitive Behavior Therapy Treatment, a comprehensive behavioral health and substance abuse program, and specialty treatment as needed based upon clinical assessment and evaluation. Specialty treatment programs include Substance Abuse and Dependency Treatment, which targets adolescent drug abuse and addiction; Mental Health Treatment delivered through individual and group psychotherapy with a qualified mental health professional; and Sexualized Behavior Treatment aimed at reducing the risk for sexual reoffending. All youth must exhibit progress in their primary treatment needs before being considered for release.

Education is provided through Adobe Mountain School, a fully accredited on-site secure care high school. As part of the high school diploma program, students are assigned classes based upon their grade-level readiness and their credit needs. Classes include academic education, career and technical education, and credit recovery. Special education students are placed in regular classes and are team taught by classroom teacher and a special education teacher. Adobe Mountain School is also a designated GED test site and assists high school students with earning their GED while working towards their high school diploma.

Youth are also provided religious services and pro-social opportunities as a pathway to responsible citizenship. This includes weekly religious services, special holiday celebrations, spiritual retreats and studies, ASA sanctioned sports, student council, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, youth wildland fire program, arts and clubs, restorative justice, work/community service, and special events.

CONDITIONAL LIBERTY & PAROLE

Transition from secure care to the community is facilitated by a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) that works to ensure the youth is ready for release. Each youth is released with an Individual Release Plan that includes home or placement expectations; individual community treatment, education, and work program goals; and conditions of supervision. While in the community, youth receive focused case management and supervision from ADJC’s Parole Officers and are provided access to ongoing treatment, programs and services as needed by various agencies throughout the state with whom ADJC contracts or collaborates. Interventions available through ADJC or through collaborative case plans with other agencies include: Residential Services, Home-Based Therapy, and Outpatient Therapy.