13th Judicial Circuit of MissouriJuvenile Justice Center

Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center
5665 N. Roger I. Wilson Memorial Drive
Columbia, Missouri 65202
Phone: (573) 886-4450
Fax: (573) 886-4461

The Juvenile Justice Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Clerical staff will assist you during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, on weekends, and on holidays, on-duty staff will be available to speak with you.

Supervisors

Tara Eppy, Superintendent
Melissa Vesser, Supervisor
Mallory Henry, Supervisor

The Missouri Juvenile Code, Section 211.331, sets forth that, in each county of the first and second classes, it is the duty of the county court to provide a place of detention for children coming within the provisions of the code. The code further states that "detention should approximate as closely as possible the care of children in good homes." The Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center is a facility designated by the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court to provide detention, evaluation services, and temporary care to juveniles found to be in need by order of the court.

The core of the Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center mission incorporates the standards for Missouri's juvenile detention facilities established by the Missouri Supreme Court, and the Court Performance Standards established by the 13th Judicial Circuit Court en Banc. It is the mission of the Juvenile Justice Center to maintain the highest standards of performance, by:

• helping to facilitate access to justice for juveniles in placement, and the families of those juveniles, by aiding them in their effective participation in the juvenile justice system;
• ensuring that staff members treat all clients in a courteous, responsive, and respectful manner;
• completing reports to the court and responding to requests for information in a timely manner;
• promptly incorporating changes in the law and/or policies and procedures into Center policies and procedures;
• making certain that facility procedures are consistent with laws, rules, and policies;
• enforcing orders of the court regarding juveniles in placement at the facility;
• maintaining and preserving accurate records;
• ensuring fair employment practices;
• demonstrating consistent institutional integrity;
• seeking to increase the level of public trust and confidence, demonstrated by consistent fairness, efficiency, and accountability.

Your legal status is determined by the Court, and it is one of the following :

DETENTION : You have been placed at JJC by Court for pending charges . You will remain on detention status until your charges are resolved or you are released by the Court.

POST-CERTIFIED: You may be at JJC post-certification if you are under 18 years old and while your adult criminal charges are pending.

DYS COMMITMENT OR WARRANT : You maybe at JJC for a period of time after being committed or for a warrant.

EVALUATION: You may be at JJC for the urpose of an evaluation. Both your DJO and you DDJO will be writing reports for the Court. The DJO will report on your social history , school adjustment, risk and needs areas, mental health, substance abuse, and other pertinent information. Your DDJO will report on your participation and behaviors while at JJC, including school, programming ,and completing assignments

SHORT TERM CARE : You maybe at JJC following a period of evaluation because Court has determined that you need to demonstrate more progress before being released . Or, you may be required to complete assignments given to you by your Deputy Juvenile Officer, complete assigned community service work, or await placement for substance abuse treatment, etc .

PLACEMENT : You maybe at JJC because it has not been decided where you will be placed after being released from JJC, and /or homestudies are being conducted to determine placement alternatives.

PREA: What is it?

In September of 2003 the Prison Rape Elimination Act was signed into law and became the first federal law to address the sexual abuse and harassment of incarcerated individuals. The law mandates that states adopt "Zero Tolerance" for all forms of offender sexual abuse and harassment and that each state make prevention of offender sexual abuse and harassment a top priority.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Every juvenile detained has the right to be free from sexual abuse and harassment. In accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act the Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of resident sexual abuse and harassment. Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center shall refer all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment to the appropriate investigative agencies based upon the victim’s age. The external investigating agencies are aware of the PREA requirements and will actively seek prosecution when a perpetrator is identified.

Sexual abuse is defined as any type of unwanted sexual contact. When sexual contact is accomplished through fear, threat or implied threat, it is considered sexual abuse. Staff-on-resident sexual misconduct will not be tolerated. It is against state law for a staff member, contractor or volunteer, to engage in any type of sexual behavior with a resident.

The department has taken various steps to stop sexual abuse and harassment including increasing the number of security cameras, providing the residents with multiple ways to report sexual abuse, training our staff to recognize the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, and educating the residents on how to avoid and report sexual abuse.

Reporting Sexual Abuse or Harassment

The Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center takes the safety of residents very seriously and ensures that everyone that is detained or works within our facility understands the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse and how to report allegations of abuse.

Residents

Residents are encouraged to report sexual abuse immediately. Residents are provided a number of ways to report abuse that includes reporting to a trusted staff member or to a community service provider. In addition, residents may report abuse through the resident grievance process.

Staff

Staff having knowledge of resident-on-resident or staff-on-resident sexual abuse must report immediately to the shift supervisor while keeping the victim safe.

Friends and Family

Friends and family of residents detained at Robert L. Perry Juvenile Justice Center may report offender sexual abuse and harassment by calling 573-886-4450 and speaking with a supervisor, or submitting a written grievance report.
When reporting resident sexual abuse or harassment, you will be asked to provide information that will assist in the investigation such as the resident’s name, where the alleged incident occurred, and time and date of the incident, as well as a brief summary of the allegation.

Wellness Policy

• Wellness Policy