Frequently Asked Questions
The Juvenile Justice Center is a 24-hour secure residential institution for the confinement of youth who have come into contact with law enforcement and/or the Court. The Center provides both short-term detention and a long-term treatment program. Admission to the facility is by Order of the Court only.
Your child may have been taken into custody by the police and brought to the Center or sent directly to the Center from a Court hearing. In either event the Court authorized the detainment of your child.
To ensure the safety and security of the facility and all residents and staff, your child will be searched upon admission. Your child will be required to shower and change into a uniform. The intake staff will collect basic information and make a determination regarding the need for immediate special care. Your child will be assigned an individual sleeping room and will be provided with bedding and hygiene supplies. You will be able to visit your child during scheduled visitation times. Questions regarding future Court hearings or the duration of your child’s stay should be directed to the Court.
For questions regarding placement in detention contact the probation officer assigned to your child’s case. If you do not know the name of the probation officer, ask for a supervisor at the Juvenile Court. The Juvenile Justice Center employees are not permitted to give information or answer questions about any resident except in person with parental identification. The Juvenile Court contact number is 586-469-5784.
The Court has determined that your child requires services provided by the Center’s Bridges Academy. Unlike short-term detention the Center’s treatment program offers long-term rehabilitative services. Upon admission to treatment you will be contacted by your child’s therapist. The therapist will ask that you come to the facility for an orientation. During the orientation you will learn about the program interventions as well as what the expectations will be for the family.
All professional visitors and parents enter through the front door of the Center. Once you arrive to the lobby speak to the staff member at the desk, behind the glass. If no one is at the desk push the intercom button next to the door on the right to speak to someone.
Contact the Juvenile Court 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Juvenile Court contact number is 586-469-5784. During non-court hours, contact the Juvenile Justice Center.
No, DO NOT bring in personal items for your child. The Center will provide everything your child needs including clothing, linins, hygiene items, shoes, food, writing paper, and recreational and reading materials. There are some exceptions wherein parents may bring in special food items for resident who earn this privilege.
Parents or step-parents are allowed and encouraged to visit their child.
Yes, your child can send and receive letters. All mail must be sent through the U.S. Postal Service and have only one stamp on it, any more will result in return to sender. The Center will not accept any mail that is dropped off. The mail will not be read unless there is clear and convincing evidence to justify such actions. In this event the mail will be read in the presence of your child. While the staff will not read mail, it will be opened to inspect for contraband. Residents are not allowed to receive packages.
A typical day does vary depending on whether your child is placed in detention or treatment. Overall the facility is designed and staffed to provide your child with a safe, secure, healthful and positive environment. During your child’s stay he/she will follow a structured daily schedule. Your child will wake each day at 7:00 am. During the week your child will attend school from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. During after-school hours your child will participate in remedial educational classes, homework sessions, self-improvement programming, and recreational activities. Your child will also have scheduled meal times, free time and time for personal hygiene. Your child will be expected to keep the living areas clean and orderly and will be assigned chores. If your child is placed in our long-term residential program a good deal of time is spent participating in individual and family counseling, group sessions, vocational services, and community service projects.
Yes, State law requires that juveniles attend school while detained in an institution. The Center contracts with the L’Anse Creuse Public School to provide an on-site educational program.
Admission to the Juvenile Justice Center is only by Order of the Court. If you have concerns with your child’s behavior and believe placement in a correctional facility is warranted you would need to contact the police or the Court.
The Juvenile Justice Center has on-site medical professionals that provides for routine medical care. In the event of a medical emergency the Center will call 911. In this case you will be contacted and advised of the emergency situation.
Residents cannot receive incoming telephone calls however the Center does provide for outgoing calls.
Yes, you may bring prescribed medication in for your child. The medication must be in the original prescription container with the original and complete label, detailing the patient name, medication type, dosage, pharmacy name, prescribing doctor. The prescription must be current. At the time of delivery the staff will ensure the validity of the medication and obtain necessary consent information. The Center will not accept narcotics or controlled substances.
All residents have the right to be safe from abusive behavior. To report allegations of abuse contact the facility and request to speak to a supervisor. There is a supervisor on site 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Upon request the Center Director can be contacted through a supervisor. If you have general concerns you can request to speak to a Shift Supervisor. You can attempt to resolve the matter with the supervisor or request a form to submit a written concern.