Juvenile Treatment Centers

Youth who commit the more serious offenses are separately housed at one of the contract Juvenile Correctional Facilities or Juvenile Treatment Centers located throughout the state.  The minimum residential length-of-stay in each program is six months, followed  by an Aftercare phase of at least six months.

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Colt Juvenile Treatment Center

Built in 1994, this facility represents the first of the state’s regional serious offender programs. It’s remote location and unique log-cabin construction lends to the wilderness theme formerly used as part of the basis for redirection of delinquent behavior. In addition to traditional education requirements, the program originally promoted wildlife, livestock, and agricultural training.

The facility presently operates as a competency-based program that places emphasis on juveniles making self-directed changes, utilizing the development and enhancement of character and values as a basis for personal growth. While the environment still provides exposure to wildlife characteristics, the livestock and agricultural components have been replaced with targeted job skills assessment & training and increased formal education.  The center is located in Saint Francis County.

Harrisburg Juvenile Treatment Center

This serious offender facility, completed in early 1997, is unique in that it is located very near the downtown area of the city of Harrisburg. As a result, there is increased interaction by the citizenry and local officials which has been extremely positive. This kind of proximity offers the opportunity to provide greater knowledge and first-hand experience to the public regarding the types of issues facing young offenders, as well as expose the juvenile population to direct community perspectives. The residents of this program are brought together with a variety of groups that include the Senior Citizens Group, city management, and local offices of the Fish & Game Commission for a variety of projects.

This program emphasizes the value of education and development of character & integrity. Juveniles learn through an established individual plan to become accountable for their actions and develop the ability to avoid delinquent behavior. There is no use of punishment disincentives and motivation is encouraged through an intensive staff-support network. The young offenders placed here strive to demonstrate desirable character development and attain specified educational goals prior to consideration for release.  The center is located in Poinsett County.

Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Center

& Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Center for Girls

This serious offender program was opened on 1994 in what used to be a youth home called Johnny Cake Ranch, sponsored by John and Jan Martin in 1968 as a child study center, which was discontinued in 1975 due to lack of grant funding. The Division purchased the property in 1998, comprised of over 236 acres nestled at the base of the famous Poteau Mountains. The rustic buildings include several two-story structures presently being used as the offender residential quarters and education classrooms, as well as a number of large houses located on the lakefront.

The program at this facility utilizes certain aspects of military dress and discipline to reinforce a comprehensive education and vocational regimen. Both male and female offenders are taught the basics of self-discipline, self-respect, motivation, and a host of other building blocks to becoming a successful adolescent and young adult. These juveniles also participate in a variety of community projects and learn the value of making contributions to the community.

This site will become a primary focus as the Division expands its services and capabilities, creating new programs in an environment that is most conducive to helping young juveniles gain a healthy perspective about their lives and promoting opportunity for improvement.  The site is located in Sebastian County

Dermott Juvenile Treatment Center

The Southeast Arkansas Regional Juvenile Program, completed in May of 1999, represents the state-of-the-art in serious offender facilities and has incorporated numerous advances in both construction design and technology. This is also the only one of the 6 serious offender programs that is contained within a security fence, felt necessary due to close proximity to the Delta state adult correctional facility as a means to provide enhanced safety and some limited degree of sight & sound separation.

As seen in the photograph, the facility retains the circular building arrangement of several other serious offender facilities, found to be successful in maintaining a centered management system to oversee the juvenile population. This particular program utilizes certain aspects of military dress and discipline as a basis for development of self-discipline, self-respect, motivation and a variety of other characteristics necessary for success as an adolescent and young adult. The main emphasis in this program is solid education and vocational training.  The center is located in Chicot County.

Lewisville Juvenile Treatment Center

This serious offender program was the second of its kind to be constructed as part of the regional program concept and became operational in 1994. This facility offers a very remote setting and was affectionately nicknamed the "swamp" by management because of the surrounding environment. The facility has a track record for accepting and dealing with the more resistant juveniles who are commonly disruptive in milder settings.

The program has a basis in military dress and discipline and requires residents to strive for higher levels of standing within the program structure. The emphasis is on education and vocation, augmented by mandatory community service at a variety of locations. This program, like the others, also promotes educational advancement through the GED program for those who qualify. Military drill and ceremony, together with an early-to-bed early-to-rise philosophy, are among traditions commonly witnessed at this program. This type of solid and predictable structure provides a good setting for juvenile offenders who need a bit more than the standard offender program environment to bring about personal change.  The center is located in Lafayette County.