2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHT - Public Welfare and Charitable Institutions (§§ 1 — 1422) › Chapter 27 - Juvenile Institutions Administration (§§ 551 — 562) › § 555 - Powers and duties

In order to attain the objectives of this chapter, the Administration shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) Operate and administer existing juvenile institutions as well as those similar facilities or community-based programs that are established in the future pursuant to the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the objectives and provisions of this chapter and any other applicable statutes.
(b) Render to the clientele and their families those specialized integrated services that will encourage positive behavioral changes in conformity with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s public policy and the objectives and provisions of this chapter and other applicable statutes.
(c) Determine the evaluation and diagnostic services that shall be provided to the clientele in detention and the treatment services for the clients in custody, the institutions or community-based programs into which the minors under its jurisdiction, custody or supervision shall be confined transferred or assigned. The Administration shall be the body that shall determine, with the prior authorization of the court, when the minor is apt to receive the benefits of community custody, also known as conditional release.
(d) Be responsible for the clientele’s custody and safety, as well as establishing and maintaining the proper security measures in the juvenile institutions. Diligently pursue, through its security and protection officials, any minor in detention or in the custody of the Administration, who escapes, does not observe any of the conditions of community custody or conditional release, or otherwise fails to comply with any other conditions imposed on him/her. Furthermore, to detain them at any time, in any place, with a prior court order, using the methods that the officers of law and order are authorized to use in making a detention.
(e) Be responsible for establishing an effective program that facilitates the minor’s discharge to his/her family and his/her community in close coordination with the family services programs operated by the Department.
(f) Identify the system’s dysfunctional elements and take the appropriate urgent measures to attend to the causes of these problems and establish an orderly, integrated, secure and efficient operation of the juvenile institutions in its charge.
(g) Establish an integrated planning and coordination system in conjunction with the Departments of Health, Education, Sports and Recreation, and of Family, the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration, and other government entities, public corporations, private persons, or entities to offer services to its clientele. Provided, that the Administration shall be responsible for establishing a continuous educational program consistent with the academic curriculum of the Department of Education and tailored to the age and capabilities of the clientele, and which shall include vocational and technical courses, as well as other courses as are necessary and convenient to reenter minors to the community. The pertinent agencies shall take into consideration the following aspects when designing the aforementioned educational program:
(1) a functional assessment that uses continuous metrics to identify discrepancies between
(A) a predetermined curriculum or a standard program, and
(B) the standard of academic achievement, vocational/social adjustment, and ability to act independently of the minor;
(2) a functional curriculum that meets the individual needs of each minor, including social and vocational skills;
(3) functional teaching that uses direct and positive strategies;
(4) vocational training opportunities;
(5) transition services;
(6) a wide range of educational and related services; and
(7) professional training and development for teachers and other officials.
(h) Plan, implement and evaluate activities and services to promote the clientele’s integral development and the modification of their antisocial conduct, thus expediting their return to the community as responsible and productive persons.
(i) Carry out scientific social research projects on technical and administrative aspects related to transgressing minors and the Juvenile Centers, with the purpose of searching for alternatives and establish programs that will help in complying with the objectives of this chapter.
(j) Develop and offer to its inmate population a nondenominational educational program on values, democracy, intercultural competency, human rights, and civic duties.
(k) In addition to the provisions of the preceding subsection (g), the Agency, in coordination with the Sports and Recreation Department, shall be required to develop, implement, and offer recreational workshops, sports activities, trainings, and competitions, among other related activities, for the benefit and enjoyment of institutionalized youths. To such purposes, both government agencies shall encourage the participation of young inmates serving dispositive measures in sport competitions and local tournaments in and outside the juvenile institutions, provided it does not pose a threat to public safety.
History —Aug. 5, 1988, No. 154, p. 651, § 6; Aug. 12, 1995, No. 187, § 2; Sept. 27, 2009, No. 100, § 1; May 2, 2011, No. 67, § 1; Aug. 11, 2011, No. 176, § 1.