MJDA developed its formal position in October 1980 and thereby became the first State detention association to do so. In preparing its position paper on staffing ratios, MJDA gathered opinions from detention administrators in Michigan and reviewed the literature on the topic. The issues it considered are generally the same as those affecting staffing today. These issues include staff burnout, custodial versus program models, physical restraints, funding, budget reductions, and bureaucratic staffing standards. The literature review revealed that small group sizes are consistently reported as essential to intervention strategies. The experience of MJDA presented additional support for the endorsement of small groups. Therefore, the MJDA decided that the staffing ratio should fall within the range of four to eight residents under the supervision of one direct-care worker per shift. 7 references