First Adopted: May 20, 2009
Most Recently Effective: January 01, 2015
Appendix A | Standards for Operation of a Secure Juvenile Detention Facility |
Section 03 | Personnel Management
Essential Elements
3.1. Each facility shall have a personnel policy manual which shall be made available to all staff of the detention center. Policies shall be consistent with those outlined in Court Operating Rule 7 for positions governed by Court Operating Rule 7. For positions not governed by Court Operating Rule 7, the policies may be consistent with those outlined in Court Operating Rule 7 and/or local personnel policies. The policies shall include, but not be limited to the following:
A. Organization including a table of organization;
B. Nondiscriminatory practices regarding recruitment, selection, transfer, promotion and retention on the basis of specified qualifications;
C. Job qualifications, descriptions and responsibilities including salary determinations and if applicable, a physical fitness policy;
D. In-service training;
E Employee performance review based on defined criteria that address problem areas and recognize exemplary performance;
F. Full-time, part-time and emergency employment;
G. Disciplinary, grievance an appeal procedures including but not limited to provisions as follows:
1. Staff shall be responsible and held accountable for adhering to the facility's written policy and procedures, and local, state and federal laws.
2. Disciplinary sanctions may result in suspension, demotion, and pay adjustment to a lower salary in the assigned pay range, termination and/or other appropriate action affecting pay, classification or tenure of employee.
3. Staff members who have engaged in inappropriate contact with any juvenile shall be reported to appropriate authorities and any relevant licensing bodies and shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
H. Probationary service of at least six months, but not beyond one year;
I. Personnel records which at a minimum shall include an application, and/or resume, criminal background check, child abuse neglect registry check, documentation of orientation and training, driver's license if applicable, performance review and dates of employment;
J. Benefits;
K. Holidays, leave and work scheduling;
L. Retirement, resignation and termination'
M. Staff/juvenile relations;
N. Employee code of ethics such as outlined by the National Partnership of Juvenile Services (NPJS); and
O. Child abuse and neglect reporting procedures.
3.2. Potential candidates for employment shall undergo a thorough background investigation including a check of references, criminal records and central registry of suspected child abuse and neglect reports. The policy shall include a periodic re-screening for all detention staff or a clause requiring the employee to inform the employer of arrests and convictions.
3.3. There shall be sufficient staff at the facility to provide adequate and continuous supervision of juveniles, visitation, transportation and programming.
3.4. There shall be a minimum of a 1 to 8 ratio of direct care staff to juveniles within the facility.
3.5. Direct care detention staff shall be defined as staff that provides immediate supervision to residents. This does not include staff assigned to a control center or admissions office, teachers, cooks, medical or mental health staff, janitorial staff or other persons or staff whose duties may bring them into contact with residents but which does not involve immediate supervision of such residents.
3.6. There shall be a minimum of three detention staff in the facility at all times.
3.7. Staff of both genders shall be available for juveniles at all times if the facility houses both genders.
3.8. Staff of one gender shall be the supervisor of juveniles of the same gender during showers, physical searches, pat downs, or during other times in which personal hygiene
3.9. Video and audio monitoring devices shall not substitute for supervision of juveniles.
3.10. The facility administrator or designee shall hold regular meetings with staff, make regular tours of the living and common areas, review logbooks, incident reports, records of force, restraints, isolation, grievances, recreation records, staff and juvenile injuries, contraband reports and all significant property damage by juveniles.
Cross-reference
Missouri Revised Statutes
Section 211.331, RSMo, "Detention Facilities ..."
Section 211.381, RSMo, "Compensation of Juvenile Court Personnel ..."
Supreme Court Rules
Rule 127.03, "Designation of Detention Facility"
(Adopted May 20, 2009, effective January 1, 2010. Amended February 18, 2014, effective January 1, 2015.)