The Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home was established to provide safe, secure custody for juveniles being charged with a crime, or are awaiting court action. The majority of children are held pending court disposition or transfer to another jurisdiction or agency. A few children may be held temporarily for as long as three months. Currently the referrals come from the Juvenile Courts of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church.

In 1960, Northern Virginia built the home for the sole purpose of housing all of its juvenile delinquents. Over the course of thirty years, the home's size became the cause for concern to the Juvenile courts. Although there had only been one escape in the prior thirty years, The Juvenile Detention Commission of Northern Virginia felt that the home was too small. To deal with the growing cause for concern, a second detention center was built in Fairfax City. This home was to serve most of Fairfax County, splitting the duties with the older, original Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home. Formerly the NVJDH housed up to 80 youths in its one and only building. After splitting from Fairfax in 1992, the home increased its size by adding two

Art is the approach taken to challenge the emotional side of the juvenile. They are asked to draw something and try to communicate how it makes them feel hen they see what they have produced. Mind puzzles, mazes, and other such recreation that requires deep thought is considered cognitive challenges.

The Goal of the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home is three fold. First, "To provide an environment which insures custody and control of the children." Second, "To insure physical well being of staff, children, and environment." Finally, "Obtain a balance between the mind and body which provides a positive attitude towards self, others, and environment".

"The average period of Detention is from one to three months. During this time every effort is made to provide an atmosphere that will be conducive to the future rehabilitation of the child. The daily program is planned so as to give ample opportunity for the successful expression of individual talent and abilities. The social, academic, religious and medical need of the children are well provided for in the structure of the daily program." Chip Coleman, director of recreation and Volunteer Services.

The third unit, unit Three, consists of all current females in the home. Also in this unit, are young males between the ages of nine to thirteen. The main reason for mixing these two groups is to create a brother, sister type relationship between the juveniles.

Along with the demands of keeping the juveniles active, come the demands of keeping proper social order among the juveniles. The Juveniles currently in the home are split into four units. The first unit, Unit One, consists of sixteen and seventeen year old males. Age is not the only determining factor for being placed in a unit. Unit one is for juveniles with a leadership type personality. These juveniles are usually in for more serious crimes and are, or have been leaders of groups or gangs.

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