Davidson County Juvenile Center

The Davidson County Juvenile Center (DCJC) is a 40-bed juvenile center for boys and girls, up to age 18, that also serves as the intake and assessment center for all youth taken into custody in the Nashville Metropolitan area. DCJC performs the intake assessment and placement services for the 400+ youth taken into custody each month. DCJC also accepts placement of all youthful offenders being held pending adjudication of their adult charges. Services are provided 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Highlights

Program services include a rated capacity for 86 beds; contracted for 32 youth; DCJC serves both pre-adjudicated and adjudicated individuals awaiting trial or transfer to another facility. DCJC has four living areas, multipurpose areas, and indoor and outdoor recreation space.

Programs

Approximately 400 juveniles are booked into the DCJC monthly. Of those, approximately 130 are detained. The average length of stay is 3-5 days, however, juveniles who have been committed to the adult criminal justice system (post-adjudication) remain until eighteen (18) years of age. The program’ goal is promoting the positive potential of all youth, restoring hope through the provision of innovative quality programming, engaging families and community, and leading the way to future success.

Services

The DCJC has a vast array of programs that are broken down into three (3) categories: Education, Case Management and Religious Services. DCJC has a full-time Chaplain who is assigned to the academy by one of the local churches.

Medical/health services are provided by on-site. Medical staff includes Physician, contract Licensed Clinical Counselor, contract Psychiatrist, Nursing Supervisor, RNs and LPNs. The Medical Department is open sixteen (16) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. Upon arrival, all detainable juveniles are screened by the medical staff for medical and dental problems. Detainees who will remain for a longer period of time will be given a physical exam within the first fourteen (14) days of detention. The Nashville General Hospital is used for emergency hospital services. Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center is used for dental services. Lentz Health is used for treating sexually transmitted diseases STDs). Contracted Mental Health staff are available in the event of a Mental Health Crisis.

Individuals are provided breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks daily, which are managed by a licensed dietician, with special medical diets and religious diets provided as needed. Youth receive nightly and monthly incentive activities and canteen. Input on incentives is provided by the Youth Advisory Board. The facility is required by contract to maintain a 1:8 ratio of staff to individuals, on first and second shift and a 1:16 ratio on third shift. The facility has 79 direct care staff and 29 support staff.

Academics

The Education Department is staffed by a Principal, three (3) full-time regular education teachers, one (1) full-time special education teacher and two (2) teacher’s aides. One (1) of the three (3) regular teachers also serves as the facility’s recreation specialist. Individuals attend school the same number of hours as regular Metro Nashville Schools, (six (6) hours per day). All grades received in the center are transferable to Metro Nashville Schools. GED preparation courses are also available. The Juvenile Center School is an approved school through the Tennessee State Board of Education.