Generally the first part of any Breaking Cycles commitment will take place in an institutional facility. Boys generally spend some time in the Juvenile Ranch Facility out at Campo. Girls are housed at the Girls Rehabilitation Facility located next to juvenile court. The length of the custodial time depends on the overall length of the Breaking Cycles commitment as well as the minor's behavior in custody.

Juvenile Ranch Facility

The Juvenile Ranch Facility (JRF) is located in Campo. There are two primary facilities including Rancho del Campo and Rancho del Rayo, which is comprised of two drug dorms. The facility is not locked or fenced; however, it is close enough to the border that staff can obtain the assistance of Border Patrol agents to prevent escapes. The facility is located in a forest-type setting with lots of trees and grass. (It is no surprise that JRF does not accept wards with fire-setting tendencies).

Wards are housed in dorms that resemble army barracks with large rooms lined with bunk beds. For the most part, wards do not get much opportunity to interact with individuals from other dorms; although, they occasionally participate in inter-dorm competitions involving arts and crafts or sports activities.

Contrary to popular belief, JRF does not provide vocational training. There are no welding classes or auto shop training, but there is a school (Rancho del Campo High School) so that wards do receive a mainstream education during their stay. The education is tailored to meet the needs of each individual ward. In addition, JRF provides drug treatment through its two drug dorms in the del Rayo facility. However, JRF does not offer treatment for sexual offenders.

JRF is located at 957 Forrest Gate Road, Campo 91906. The information number is 619-410-3500. Susan Blackwell is the superintendent - she can be reached at 619-410-3580

Girl's Rehabilitation Facility [top]

The Girls Rehabilitation Facility (GRF) is located next to Juvenile Hall and Juvenile Court. GRF provides services for girls ages 13-18, and it generally targets medium to high-risk girls whose offenses display a clear delinquent orientation.

While wards and visitors are not free to walk in and out of the facility, it is technically not a "locked facility." There are 33 beds available in the program, and the facility is currently being renovated to accommodate an additional 20 beds.

GRF provides drug and alcohol treatment, family counseling, and educational opportunities. GRF also provides gender-specific programs dealing with esteem building, sex education, and mentoring. The program generally lasts 10-12 weeks, and this period is divided into 5 phases (Boarding, Departure, Journey, Arrival, and Destination) that last 2 to 3 weeks each.

With progression through each phase, minors are given more and more privileges such as free time or special visits. A rule violation will not result in a demotion back to a previous phase, but it may result in a five-day administrative removal back to juvenile hall (thus increasing the overall length of custody time).