THE CENTER IS THE FIRST FEDERAL FACILITY FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS TO BE CONSTRUCTED SINCE THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER WAS OPENED IN W. VA. IN 1969. IT SUPPORTS THE BASIC CONTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS THAT CORRECTION OF THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER IS A MAJOR KEY TO CRIME REDUCTION. SUPPORT AND COOPERATION FOR THE CENTER'S ESTABLISHMENT WERE PROVIDED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS IN THE CITY OF PLEASANTON. THIS INVOLVED ASSURING THAT CONSTRUCTION DEADLINES WERE MET AND PROVIDING RESOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND OTHER EDUCTIONAL SERVICES. THE COST OF CENTER CONSTRUCTION WAS $5.5 MILLION. WITH A STAFF OF 137 PERSONNEL AND AN INSTITUTION POPULATION OF 250, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE AVERAGE CENTER BUDGET WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $2,250,000. THE CENTER IS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN CHANGE, LEARN AND MATURE, AND ENHANCE THEIR INDIVIDUALITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY. ONE OF THE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AT THE CENTER IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MALE AND FEMALE OFFENDERS TO WORK TOGETHER; THIS PROGRAM IS REFERRED TO AS COCORRECTIONS. APPROXIMARELY 55 TO 60 FEMALE RESIDENTS, 25 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE CENTER, WILL RESIDE IN SEPARATE FACILITIES BUT WILL BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN VOCATIONAL AND ACADEMIC TRAINING, COUNSELING, AND ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF CENTER LIVING AND PROGRAMS. FUNCTIONAL UNITS WITHIN THE CENTER ARE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE AND RESOLVE MOST INMATE NEEDS. THE OVERALL BUILDING PROGRAM INITIATED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS HAS THREE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: REDUCE OVERCROWDING, PROVIDE SMALLER INSTITUTIONS WITH AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FACILITATES CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS, AND REPLACE LARGE PENITENTIARIES. (DEP)