The hall, built in 1957, is designed to produce it. Experts long ago established the connection between architecture and human behavior. Put people in cages not fit for zoo animals, and they're likely to act like animals, they say. Immense strides have been made in this discipline over the past half-century. None is found in the hall in southeast Fresno.
Space is a big part of the problem.
The hall's capacity is 265 youths, but the number often exceeds 300. Fresno County's rapidly rising population is one explanation for the over- crowding. So are the dramatically higher fees counties must pay to send nonviolent offenders to the California Youth Authority, fees which force cash-strapped Fresno County to keep more convicted youths at home. Yet, building another wing is no solution. The current hall has too many dormitories.