Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall

Mission Statement

The Juvenile Hall Division subscribes to and supports the mission statement of the California Association of Probation Institution Administrators (CAPIA) as follows:

"...to build and support a Juvenile Detention System which utilizes the assessment of risk, eliminates unnecessary detention of youth, provides a safe and humane institutional environment for those residents in detention, develops a professional child supervision staff who recognize and respect the dignity of residents, and demonstrates a level of care which serves as a model to other states and jurisdictions."

Beliefs

The Juvenile Hall holds the following beliefs:

  • Youth not needing secure detention should be provided less restrictive alternatives to incarceration
  • Youth have the ability to make positive changes
  • Youth have the right to be treated with dignity and respect
  • Youth deserve fair and consistent discipline, and a safe and humane environment
  • Youth need institutional programs and services which foster physical, moral, emotional, and intellectual growth
  • Youth need positive role models
  • Institutional staff are our most valuable resource

Programs and Services

  • Barrios Unidos
  • NA / AA / Alateen
  • The Beat Within
  • Mentoring / Job Readiness Programs
  • FLOW
  • Unchained
  • Rising Scholars
  • Movie Night
  • Yoga
  • Art Initiatives
  • Music Instruction
  • Chess Program
  • Faith Based Services
  • Educational Programs
  • Community Speakers
  • Financial Literacy through Santa Cruz Credit Union
  • Career Panels
  • Behavioral Health Counseling and Medical Staff On-Site

Publications