There is a strong correlation with poorer communities within the state of Rhode Island. Youth may also move from one dormitory to another within the facility. Structural rigidity in the context of great transience is a defining characteristic of the institution and presents a significant challenge to meaningful programming for these youth. Action teams met during the year to develop plans for implementation of the strategic plan. Programming herein described is designed on the basis of the best information available on the needs of incarcerated youth in general and on the particular youngsters detained and adjudicated in Rhode Island.
Incarcerated youth present a complex and distinct set of social and educational needs.
Family structures are often unsupportive of or actively hostile to youth's educational and developmental needs. The instability reflected in multiple living situations and educational placements may permeate youth's life. These adults may be physically or mentally abusive or who are substance abusers or traffickers. Most often these students participation in school has not been associated with success and often youngsters' histories reflect brief stints in many different public schools sometimes in different educational systems. A random survey of educational records conducted in November1997 confirms the difficulty youngsters have experienced in local schools.