(a) The Department shall permit the Juvenile Services Program of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia ("JSP-PDS") access to youth in accordance with this section.

(b) The JSP-PDS shall be able to meet and have contact with youth through in-person communication, telephone calls, and written correspondence in order to provide free legal services to youth including:

(1) Assistance contacting attorneys and others involved in youths' court cases;

(2) Representation of youth in disciplinary hearings;

(3) Representation of youth in any proceeding at which the Department seeks to place a youth at a more secure level of placement;

(4) Legal rights orientations for new residents; and

(5) Assistance filing complaints relating to conditions of confinement.

(c) The Department shall provide:

(1) The JSP-PDS with dedicated office space at the Youth Services Center, the New Beginnings Youth Development Center, and any similar future secured facility operated by the Department;

(2) Youth and personnel of the JSP-PDS with confidential access to each other, which shall include confidential:

(A) Telephone calls;

(B) Written correspondence; and

(C) In-person communications; and

(3) The JSP-PDS personnel with reasonable in-person access, as necessary, to the housing units or other areas of Department facilities where youth are confined; provided, that the Department retains the authority to temporarily restrict or deny access previously granted, at any time, due to institutional needs.

(d) The dedicated office space provided pursuant to subsection (c)(1) of this section shall include:

(1) Space for confidential meetings between youth and the JSP-PDS personnel; and

(2) Electricity and permission for JSP-PDS to have and maintain its own internet connection for JSP-PDS operated and managed computers, telephones, and electronic equipment.

(e) The JSP-PDS personnel may not use electronic equipment such as cell phones and computers within Department housing units unless otherwise permitted by the Department or by court order.

(Apr. 12, 2005, D.C. Law 15-335, § 105a; as added Mar. 10, 2020, D.C. Law 23-66, § 2, 67 DCR 740.)