(TJJD) Youth Handbook - Texas Juvenile Justice Department

family to determine how serious you may be about a particular faith. You alsohave the right to not declare a religious preference or practice any faith at all.While in TJJD, you will meet youth from a number of different backgrounds andbeliefs, including from all of the world’s major religions. TJJD will allow you tohold religious ceremonies and customs when they are not a threat to safety.The primary role of your facility chaplain is to protect your religious freedoms;provide you with rites, rituals, and practices; and help you clarify your values.PregnancyAll female youth get a pregnancy test at TJJD. If you are pregnant, TJJD will helpyou with medical, safety, and nutritional needs during and after pregnancy.However, you are not allowed to have your children with you in any TJJDoperatedfacility. A non-profit organization called WINGS (Women in Need ofGreater Strength) runs a mother-baby program for TJJD youth who have finishedtheir time in a secure facility and who qualify to go to a medium security facility. Ifyou are pregnant or are the mother of an infant, ask staff what you need to do toget into the WINGS program.“While you are in TYC don’t worry about what people say andthink about you. Do what you gotta do to better YOU.” – YouthJ.G. (Houston Parole)Zero Tolerance for Sexual AbuseThe Texas Legislature and TJJD Board have adopted a zero-tolerance policyregarding the sexual abuse, including consensual sexual contact, of a youth inthe custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Any such violation mustbe reported to: 1-866-477-8354. Additionally, the zero-tolerance policy alsoapplies as part of TJJD’s efforts to comply with the federal Prison RapeElimination Act (PREA).LOOKING AHEADTAKING RESPONSIBILITY & DEFINING YOUR FUTURE13