Seventeen-year-old Zachary Doucay likes baseball, works afternoons at a recreational center and is preparing to start college in January.

But Doucay is not an everyday teenager. His life is played out behind the security fences of Swanson Center for Youth, where he is called a “lifer,” meaning he will remain at the facility until his 21st birthday on April 3, 2010.Swanson Center for Youth sits on more than 100 acres off South Grand Street in southern Monroe. The facility, once called Louisiana Training Institute for Boys, includes multiple dorms, schools, a dining hall, two churches, a gym, football and track fields and a swimming pool.

Large trees shade the streets, offering a feel more like a small community college than a prison for juveniles guilty of serious offenses.

Doucay is serving a sentence for a crime committed when he was a 14-year-old, eighth-grader in Alexandria.

Because he is considered a juvenile, the offense that landed him behind Swanson’s gates was not made public.

Swanson director Glenn Holt points to Doucay as one of the criminal justice system’s success stories.

Since being placed at the facility, Doucay has received his General Educational Development degree, completed certification in welding and small engine repair and is working on a national certification in carpentry. He will enroll in his first college course in January.

“When someone asks me to show them a youth and what it would be like when everything came together, Zach is the exemplary example,” Holt said. “There are very few on this campus that have gotten to Zach’s level, and he has earned the level of trust that he has on campus.”

Doucay has bright blue eyes and wears a cross on a leather band around his neck. He said Swanson has become his home, the other boys his brothers.

“Had I not made a bad decision, I wouldn’t be here,” Doucay said. “I’m not at the end of my road yet. I have a lot more to accomplish with school.

“It’s that much harder for me, though, because I’ve got to do something to keep my chin up. Maybe this is my reason for being here. If I wasn’t here, I might have messed up, and never went to college.”

A typical day for Doucay begins at 6 a.m. when he awakens in Redbud Dormitory — a large, long room with beds lining each wall. Each boy showers, straightens his bed in military style, and gets dressed. For many, that means sharing clothes, unless good behavior warrants that you can wear your own jeans and shoes, like Doucay.

After a quick clean-up of the room and bathroom, the boys wait to be called to the dining hall, where they eat a breakfast similar to those served at public schools.

They boys are back at their dorm by 7 a.m., just in time for a staff shift change. The night shift briefs the day shift on any problems, such as fights. The boys get a run-down of the day’s activities.

After that, most boys walk in a two-by-two military line to school. Classes start at 8 a.m. They attend classes for six hours, which helps them work toward a GED or high school diploma.

Doucay received his degree in 2005. A graduation ceremony was held, complete with caps and gowns and a “Pomp and Circumstance” march, Holt said. Family members were allowed to attend.

Doucay first class is carpentry. As part of his certification, he has made items such as jewelry boxes and key holders for his family and has worked on desks, tables and nightstands that are used at the facility.

At 11:30 a.m., lunch shifts begin and boys enjoy a hot meal and a break between classes. Because of Doucay’s good behavior, he is allowed to work in the c ampus Boys’ Club, a recreation center with pool and Ping-Pong tables, game systems and sports activities.

Part of his job is to help schedule games and organize leagues. He assists with intramural softball, basketball, volleyball and flag football.

When sports are mentioned, Doucay’s face lights up.

“I played a little pre-high school baseball, and I’ve always wanted to play football,” Doucay said. “My biggest thing is sports right now. Anything to do with sports, I just fall in love with it. I’ve kind of fallen in with the recreation staff. I am like a son to them.”

When recreation is allowed, the boys play PlayStation games and watch television.

One of Doucay’s favorite shows is “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

“I also like Prison Break,” he said with a grin.

Based on good behavior, Swanson youth are taken on trips to athletic events at local universities, plays and movies. Doucay said his time at Swanson has not been all bad. He believes he missed his teenage years, and he misses his family, particularly an older brother serving overseas in the Navy and his 12-year-old sister.

“To me, I think I’ve missed out on what a teenager goes through,” Doucay said. “I’ve missed out on dating, on a social life.

“I miss my family. My little sister is growing up, and I miss being the older brother to her. I also miss being alone and having ‘me’ time and not being responsible for a lot of things.”

Holt said that there are many misconceptions about Swanson and the people locked behind the gates.

“We believe you can learn productive ways to overcome your past situations and lead a very productive adult life,” Holt said. “We don’t have bad kids. We have kids that have done bad things.”

Lonnie Greene, the director of the Boys’ Club where Zach works, said Swanson provides a positive environment.

“You hear a lot of bad things, but if you came and stayed a day or two, you would realize these kids are well-behaved and it’s safer,” Greene said.

Asked what he wants for his post-Swanson years, Doucay simply said “Success.”

“I want to be independent and I don’t want to be a burden on anyone’s shoulders, not even my family.

“Coming to this place, it downgrades you,” he said. “At least that is the way I see it through my eyes. People look at me like I am a delinquent.

“I slipped off the ladder, I know. Now I am just climbing my way back up again.”