Caitlin, 17, Juvenile Detention Center, Oregon

Caitlin, 17, Juvenile Detention Center, Oregon

Suitable Placement: Juvenile Justice in America (2006 -)

Photograph

The Richard Ross Collection

Caitlin, 17, has been at the Multnomah Juvenile Detention Center for two and a half months. "I’ve got a Measure 11 – Rob 2. My lawyer waits until the last minute to tell me something. He said I was gonna be out when I’m 18, but that’s in 36 days. I would take anything (plea deal) as long as I get out. My boyfriend is my co-defendant. He’s why I’m here, but I don’t blame him too much. He’s 20. I’ve been with him, well, I’ve known him since my freshman year, but I just became his girlfriend in May. I’ve had pv’s for smoking meth, for drinking, but I’ve never been in here this long." "I was living with my grandparents before I got in here. My grandma is real sick right now. She’s fallen four times. I used to get visitors. My dad refuses to come visit me. That’s my grandpa. I call my grandparents “Mom” and “Dad.” My actual mom is in Hawaii, I don’t know where my dad is anymore. My actual mom doesn’t want anything to do with me. She thinks I verbally abuse her. I don’t mind not talking to her because I don’t want to be blamed for somebody else’s crap. She can blame somebody else." "I have a dog. I love my dog. He’s a beagle. His name is Snoopy. I love that dog so much. He misses me. I talk to him on the phone sometimes. I know that sounds weird. They put him on the phone, and he howls. It’s so hard being here. Oh my God." "Letters from my boyfriend get me through. He’s in jail." "My mattress is so thin. My ribs hurt when I breathe. Don’t come here."

© Richard Ross

United States