Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center

The Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center (MJTC) is a secure correctional facility located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It provides intensive mental health services to Wisconsin's most serious juvenile offenders.

Pronunciation

Mendota: /mɛnˈdoʊtə/

Juvenile: /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl/

Treatment: /ˈtriːtmənt/

Center: /ˈsɛntər/

Etymology

The name "Mendota" is derived from the Dakota language, meaning "mouth or junction of one river with another." The term "juvenile" originates from the Latin juvenilis, meaning "young" or "youthful." The term "treatment" comes from the Latin tractare, meaning "to handle, deal with, conduct oneself towards." Lastly, "center" is derived from the Latin centrum, meaning "middle point."

Related Terms

Juvenile delinquency: The behavior of young people that is not in accordance with the law or the conduct of a child or youth that is classified as a juvenile delinquent.
Correctional facility: A place where individuals are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms.
Mental health: A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Offender: A person who commits an illegal act.

Overview

The Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center (MJTC) was established in 1995 as a unit within the Mendota Mental Health Institute. It was created to provide treatment to the state's most serious juvenile offenders who were not responding to traditional correctional programs. The MJTC uses a unique treatment model that focuses on teaching youth to change their thinking patterns and behavior.

Treatment Approach

The treatment approach at MJTC is based on the principles of Decoy theory. This theory suggests that antisocial behavior is learned and maintained through reinforcement contingencies. The treatment model used at MJTC is designed to alter these contingencies so that prosocial behavior is more rewarding than antisocial behavior.

Effectiveness

Several studies have shown that the MJTC's treatment model is effective in reducing recidivism rates among treated youth. These studies suggest that the MJTC's approach to treatment can lead to significant reductions in violent and criminal behavior.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center
Wikipedia's article - Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center

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Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center