Spofford Juvenile Center
Encyclopedia
Spofford Juvenile Center was the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice's (DJJ) only Secure Detention center until August 1, 1998 when it was temporarily vacated by the DJJ. It was located in the Bronx borough of New York City
. On January 18, 1998 the Horizon Juvenile Center, in the Mott Haven
neighborhood of the Bronx, and the Crossroads Juvenile Center, in Brownsville
, Brooklyn
, were both opened to fill the void left by the shuttering of the Spofford facility. Spofford was renamed Bridges Juvenile Facility when it was reopened in the early 2000s, leaving New York City with a total of three juvenile detention facilities.
made large-scale investments in its public service infrastructure. In 1957, due to overcrowding, and a detention capacity of only 105 beds at East 12th Street, Youth House moved to more spacious facilities. Its new location, in the Hunts Point
section of the Bronx, was composed of two separate buildings; one for boys and one for girls.
The boys' detention house, built atop a hill at 1221 Spofford Avenue, had an initial capacity of 239 beds. The girls' institution, at 765 Manida Street, accommodated 125 girls. Over time, the boys' facility became known as Spofford Youth House, and then Spofford Juvenile Center. The girls' facility was known as Manida Juvenile Center, though both eventually became known as the Spofford Juvenile Center. The facilities were at first operated by Youth House Board Incorporated, a non-profit group. This would be the first of several organizations to operate Spofford.
Throughout its first 20 years of operation, Spofford was the focus of criticism and controversy. For a variety of reasons, ranging from administrative failures and staff abuses, to the physical limitations of the building, it became known as a place that exacerbated the problems of juvenile delinquents. Spofford was also known for its frequent escapes. Between 1976 and 1978, there were 202 escapes. In 1967, the City turned control of Spofford over to the Department of Probation, and then in 1971 to the Human Resources Administration.
Non-Secure Detention was created that same year as a group home environment for children with less serious violations. At the same time, the Stone Report recommended the creation of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The Agency, formed in 1979, was charged with coordinating detention for the City's youth, with the hope that clear and singular responsibility would prevent the recurrence of past problems.
In 1978, the New York State Legislature passed the Juvenile Offender Act. Previously, all young offenders were treated as Juvenile Delinquents (JDs). The 1978 legislation created a new category, the Juvenile Offender (JO), who, while charged as an adult, were still housed with juveniles. A JO is defined as any youth between the ages of 13-17 who is charged with any of 17 offenses denoted by the State of New York as the most severe, such as murder or rape. In this environment, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) was created as a means of providing youth with a chance to reform themselves, while concurrently holding them accountable for their actions.
When DJJ was created and given responsibility for the juveniles in detention, the Agency was allowed a Commissioner and up to two Deputy Commissioners. Managerial responsibilities were divided into three categories: the operation of Spofford, Non-Secure Detention (NSD), and administration (which included community-based programs). The Director of Spofford managed the facility on a daily basis. The Administration division was responsible for the Agency's budget, financial and programmatic planning, and, eventually, Community Based-Interventions (CBI). The Director of NSD was responsible for the Beach Avenue Group Home and oversight of independently contracted community-based homes.
The fledgling agency was immediately confronted with two sets of issues which cast Spofford in a negative public light: childcare and facility needs. To enhance its image, the Agency's first Commissioner, Paul Strasburg, made safety for the public, the staff, and the residents, a priority. At the same time, the Agency embraced detention as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people, an affirmation of juvenile justice's reform roots. Emphasis was placed on education, medical services and managing the dormitory living areas. Residents began to receive educational assessments and DJJ began operating its own state approved school, the Carter G. Woodson Academy.
Administrative improvements, however, could not stem the tide of Spofford's physical deterioration. Its size, remote location, long narrow hallways, and lack of adequate lighting, remained a source of criticism. Moreover, the facility's reputation for trouble was hard to overcome; people expected the worst of Spofford. As a result, replacing it with smaller, less institutional facilities, in a more accessible location, became an immediate priority.
Spofford Juvenile Center reopened in the early 2000s (following its close in 1998), but with a new name: Bridges Juvenile Center. On December 7, 2010 Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed legislation officially merging the Department of Juvenile Justice into the Administration for Children's Services. Bridges was closed by the City of New York, an initiative executed by the City following the merger, in March 2011.
At this time, all juvenile detention operations were transferred to the City's remaining two facilities: Horizon Juvenile Center and Crossroads Juvenile Center. Both Horizon and Crossroads were constructed and put into use in 1998, during the time that Spofford was temporarily shut down.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
. On January 18, 1998 the Horizon Juvenile Center, in the Mott Haven
Mott Haven, Bronx
Mott Haven is a primarily residential neighborhood in the Southwestern section of The Bronx in New York City. Zip codes include 10451, 10454, and 10455. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 1...
neighborhood of the Bronx, and the Crossroads Juvenile Center, in Brownsville
Brownsville, Brooklyn
Brownsville is a residential neighborhood located in eastern Brooklyn, New York City.The total land area is one square mile, and the ZIP code for the neighborhood is 11212....
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, were both opened to fill the void left by the shuttering of the Spofford facility. Spofford was renamed Bridges Juvenile Facility when it was reopened in the early 2000s, leaving New York City with a total of three juvenile detention facilities.
History
As construction boomed nationally in the postwar era, New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
made large-scale investments in its public service infrastructure. In 1957, due to overcrowding, and a detention capacity of only 105 beds at East 12th Street, Youth House moved to more spacious facilities. Its new location, in the Hunts Point
Hunts Point, Bronx
Hunts Point is a low-income neighborhood located on a peninsula in the South Bronx in New York City. It is the location of one of the largest food distribution facilities in the world. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 2. Its boundaries are the Bruckner Expressway to the west and...
section of the Bronx, was composed of two separate buildings; one for boys and one for girls.
The boys' detention house, built atop a hill at 1221 Spofford Avenue, had an initial capacity of 239 beds. The girls' institution, at 765 Manida Street, accommodated 125 girls. Over time, the boys' facility became known as Spofford Youth House, and then Spofford Juvenile Center. The girls' facility was known as Manida Juvenile Center, though both eventually became known as the Spofford Juvenile Center. The facilities were at first operated by Youth House Board Incorporated, a non-profit group. This would be the first of several organizations to operate Spofford.
Throughout its first 20 years of operation, Spofford was the focus of criticism and controversy. For a variety of reasons, ranging from administrative failures and staff abuses, to the physical limitations of the building, it became known as a place that exacerbated the problems of juvenile delinquents. Spofford was also known for its frequent escapes. Between 1976 and 1978, there were 202 escapes. In 1967, the City turned control of Spofford over to the Department of Probation, and then in 1971 to the Human Resources Administration.
Non-Secure Detention was created that same year as a group home environment for children with less serious violations. At the same time, the Stone Report recommended the creation of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The Agency, formed in 1979, was charged with coordinating detention for the City's youth, with the hope that clear and singular responsibility would prevent the recurrence of past problems.
In 1978, the New York State Legislature passed the Juvenile Offender Act. Previously, all young offenders were treated as Juvenile Delinquents (JDs). The 1978 legislation created a new category, the Juvenile Offender (JO), who, while charged as an adult, were still housed with juveniles. A JO is defined as any youth between the ages of 13-17 who is charged with any of 17 offenses denoted by the State of New York as the most severe, such as murder or rape. In this environment, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) was created as a means of providing youth with a chance to reform themselves, while concurrently holding them accountable for their actions.
When DJJ was created and given responsibility for the juveniles in detention, the Agency was allowed a Commissioner and up to two Deputy Commissioners. Managerial responsibilities were divided into three categories: the operation of Spofford, Non-Secure Detention (NSD), and administration (which included community-based programs). The Director of Spofford managed the facility on a daily basis. The Administration division was responsible for the Agency's budget, financial and programmatic planning, and, eventually, Community Based-Interventions (CBI). The Director of NSD was responsible for the Beach Avenue Group Home and oversight of independently contracted community-based homes.
The fledgling agency was immediately confronted with two sets of issues which cast Spofford in a negative public light: childcare and facility needs. To enhance its image, the Agency's first Commissioner, Paul Strasburg, made safety for the public, the staff, and the residents, a priority. At the same time, the Agency embraced detention as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people, an affirmation of juvenile justice's reform roots. Emphasis was placed on education, medical services and managing the dormitory living areas. Residents began to receive educational assessments and DJJ began operating its own state approved school, the Carter G. Woodson Academy.
Administrative improvements, however, could not stem the tide of Spofford's physical deterioration. Its size, remote location, long narrow hallways, and lack of adequate lighting, remained a source of criticism. Moreover, the facility's reputation for trouble was hard to overcome; people expected the worst of Spofford. As a result, replacing it with smaller, less institutional facilities, in a more accessible location, became an immediate priority.
Spofford Juvenile Center reopened in the early 2000s (following its close in 1998), but with a new name: Bridges Juvenile Center. On December 7, 2010 Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed legislation officially merging the Department of Juvenile Justice into the Administration for Children's Services. Bridges was closed by the City of New York, an initiative executed by the City following the merger, in March 2011.
At this time, all juvenile detention operations were transferred to the City's remaining two facilities: Horizon Juvenile Center and Crossroads Juvenile Center. Both Horizon and Crossroads were constructed and put into use in 1998, during the time that Spofford was temporarily shut down.