Filmmakers’ orientation project explains what life is life for
teens in custody or on probabtion in SBC
After seven months of collaboration between the Probation
Department and San Benito High School, the Juvenile Hall
Orientation video is finally complete. Juvenile Hall Secretary
Melisa Leonardo first got in touch with San Benito High School to
collaborate with probation department and Juvenile Hall to create
something like no other
– an orientation video for those entering Juvenile Hall or those
on probation.
Filmmakers’ orientation project explains what life is life for teens in custody or on probabtion in SBC
After seven months of collaboration between the Probation Department and San Benito High School, the Juvenile Hall Orientation video is finally complete. Juvenile Hall Secretary Melisa Leonardo first got in touch with San Benito High School to collaborate with probation department and Juvenile Hall to create something like no other – an orientation video for those entering Juvenile Hall or those on probation.
In fact, as far as the county is concerned nothing like this has ever existed before. The video shot by the SBHS’s Film Makers Club, meant to inform guardians and minors of what Juvenile Hall really feels like, is the first of its kind.
There is even a possibility that the video will be distributed to other probation programs for use with youth offenders.
“San Benito High School is so thrilled to offer this to the community,” said Mary Maio, a teledramatic arts teacher. “We’re very excited to show the work from our hearts.”
The video is completely compromised of local San Benito School District students and faculty, as well as Juvenile Hall staff. It contains the rules, policies, procedure, and information on what to expect day to day at the San Benito County Juvenile Hall. It also covers what to expect during the court process, as well as information about resources for after release from Juvenile Hall.
“I don’t think people realize how confined Juvenile Hall is,” said a participating actor in the film. “It makes people realize that this isn’t a joke.”
Many people have a misconception of what Juvenile Hall is and what it’s there to do. According to the chief probation officer, they do not realize how serious it is. With the creation of this orientation video, Brent Cardell, the chief probation officer, said he hopes to release it not only to persons on probation or entering Juvenile Hall, but to the general public to allow them to see what will happen if their child goes astray.
“It’s not a playhouse,” Cardell said. “We’re there to ensure their [the minors] safety and to make sure they’re there to do what they came there to do.”
When watching the film, it can be easily seen that Cardell is correct. Everything from the music in the background, to the narrator telling the rules is meant to show viewers that this video is to give a reality check to anyone who questions whether or not Juvenile Hall is a real punishment.
The students are in the process of making a Spanish translation and it is due in a few weeks. They will also begin the process of lending the video out to any schools that wish to show the video. The video is due to air on Community Media Access Partnership so parents can view it at home.
