Recreation is the refreshment of the body and mind.
Recreation plays an essential role in the rehabilitative program for all youth in Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) facilities. Many TJJD youth have not been exposed to positive and pro-social recreational activities. They find themselves challenged to engage in new activities and need additional support. TJJD recreation teams provide programming and encouragement that supports physical fitness, skill building, making positive connections, and increased mental stability.
At TJJD, when youth are not engaged in activities, it is common to see an increase in violence and self-injury. When they are active, connected, and empowered through recreation, we see fewer safety issues. A highly structured, responsive, and engaging recreation program not only decreases unsafe incidents in the facilities but also improves a youth’s ability to be successful in the community.
The TJJD Recreation Department provides a variety of recreational programming for large groups, consistent accessibility to dorm-based leisure activities and incentive/holiday programming. To implement quality and diverse recreation programs in all our facilities, we have expanded our recreation teams to a minimum of seven recreation staff per campus with an identified lead. This team works together with other departments to plan, develop, and execute recreational programming.
These efforts to increase the therapeutic value, frequency, and access to recreation in the facilities will have a positive ripple effect across the state. Youth who have interests, goals, and the skills necessary to be successful in recreation have what they need to be successful in many other aspects of life. Recreational activities help the youth find positive ways to use their energy and focus their minds, which can reduce their risk of recidivism.
Youth mental health is tied to their physical health and social activities. The skills of problem-solving, communication, and emotion regulation taught in recreation translate to all aspects of daily life creating resiliency in both the individual and the group.
Through celebratory events both big and small, the recreation department promotes a sense of normalcy at the campus. Offering a variety of campus events and supporting staff to engage the youth daily improves overall campus morale as well. Juvenile Correctional Officers feel supported by recreation staff helping with supervision and structured activities. All staff experience joy observing even our most challenging youth play and have fun. Campus morale also improves when youth and staff are together on the holidays, participating in celebrations and traditions, despite being away from their families.
Youth and staff build healthy relationships and stronger connections, when both are engaged in positive activities, for their mind and body, every day. The youth feel connected to staff and learn emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, which improves the safety of the entire facility.