Safe Alternatives To Segregation Initiative (2016)

According to Safe Alternatives to Segregation Initiative (2016) in addition to youth team building the ABD is also based on sanctions and rewards. For example, when a pod unit has had good behavior for the day they can receive extra personal time which can be spent outside, in the gym, or socializing. Sanctions do not include automatically going straight to solitary confinement. Sanctions can include taking away personal time for a day. While as a last resort individuals are sent off to confinement, ABD does not use a typical solitary confinement cell. While in the cell they will have a video of nature scenes playing, chalk walls for self-expression, and the ability to talk with your mentor or staff, all in hopes of calming the individual down.
In addition ABD includes a variety of mental health and treatment settings. Every juvenile will go through a formal trauma assessment, psychological report, youth observations and a youth interview (Safe Alternatives to Segregation Initiative, 2016). This approach allows the staff to become familiar with the youth’s issues and needs. After the conclusion of these reports staff is informed about specific trauma triggers for the youth and ways to avoid triggering the youth. In addition they are provided specific interventions to use when a youth is triggered. Under the ABD program all juveniles are interviewed by a mental health staff member at least every 90 days and notes are taken (Safe Alternatives to Segregation Initiative, 2016).