CALCASIEU PARISH JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER

The Juvenile Detention Center provides temporary secure confinement and care to juveniles referred from local law enforcement agencies, state agencies (Department of Corrections), Federal Agencies and from our own Probation, Drug Court and F.I.N.S. departments.  The Center is equipped to house 38 juveniles, male and female, ranging from 10 to 17 years of age.

The Juvenile Detention Center was opened in 1968.  The Center is located in the rear of the Office of Juvenile Justice Services at 3615 East Prien Lake Road.  The Detention Center consists of 18 rooms, 2 observation rooms, 2 recreation rooms, a control room for staff, laundry room, kitchen, nurse's office, classroom and 2 fenced recreation yards.  A computer lab and library are located in the recreation rooms. 

In  2004, 483 juveniles were admitted to the Detention Center.  In addition, 495 juveniles were admitted through the Calcasieu Parish School Board's Zero Tolerance Program.  The average daily occupancy of the Detention Center was 28 and the average length of stay was 31 days.  These numbers do not include the Zero Tolerance Program.

Juveniles housed in the Detention Center participate in education through a homebound program provided by the Calcasieu Parish School Board.  Juveniles not in school participate in G.E.D. and alternative education programs.  Juveniles participate in individual and group counseling, social skills training drug testing, medical services and psychological testing.

The Detention Center's security system centers around a 48-hour camera closed circuit television system, which is monitored 24 hours per day, seven days per week. In addition to the video, a 20 base audio station is utilized.

The Detention Center staff consists of a Director, Director of Detention, Assistant Director of Detention, Assistant to the Director, Services Coordinator, Nurse, Food Service Manager, Shift Supervisors, Attendants, Cooks and Maintenance Personnel.  Medical services are provided 3 days a week by the LSU Health-Sciences Center.  Two master's level counselors provide counseling, suicide screening and assessments for the Detention Center.  In addition, a local psychiatrist provides consultation to the staff regarding juveniles who have mental health and substance abuse problems.

Training is a priority for the Detention Center staff.  All members are trained in Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention, First Aid, CPR, Policies and Procedures, and a variety of topics related to the care and control of juveniles.

Mr. Marcus Matte is the Assistant Director of Detention Services.  For more information, please contact him at mmatte@cppj.net.