What to Know

If your child is detained

Youth Detention Centers exist to provide a safe environment for youth who pose a risk to the community or who are at risk of not appearing in court.

If your child is taken into custody, they may be released to you or another responsible person unless important reasons exist for detention. This decision to detain is made by the juvenile office whenever your youth is taken into custody by law enforcement. The decision to not detain does not preclude law enforcement from submitting reports which will be acted upon by the juvenile office.

If detained, your youth may be held in our detention facility for up to 24 hours without a court order (excluding weekends and holidays). The court may order that your child be held in a detention facility for longer than 24 hours.

A detention hearing will be held within 72 business hours. If the court orders continued detention, your youth must be told the reason they are detained, their right to a hearing, and their rights during detention. Legal guardians must be notified of their youth's detention as soon as possible. Generally, reasons for detention for delinquent acts may include that the youth:

• Has failed to appear in court proceedings;
• Has a history of, or is currently engaged in, violent behavior which poses a safety risk to the community; or
• Has left a prior court-ordered placement without permission.

What do kids say about detention?

Youth we spoke to about being in our facility had the following concerns:

"I thought it was going to be like in the movies and I would have to protect myself from other kids."

"I thought I'd have to sleep with another kid in my room and shower in groups."

While in detention

• Youth sleep in single occupancy rooms.
• Youth are never left alone or unsupervised with other youth.
• Youth always shower alone.
• Youth wear navy scrubs while in detention.

When we asked kids what parents should know about their kids in detention they said:

"They need to know that we are safe. You keep us safe. It isn't like prison."

Detention is a very frightening experience for most youth and their guardians. Their expectations and experiences have mostly been through television and movies and many expect detention to be similar to adult prisons — it is not.

While detention is inevitably a challenging experience for most youth, the intent is to maintain safety for them and our communities. Detention is not used as a punitive consequence in the juvenile justice system. It is a temporary placement while their case is heard through the juvenile court system.

What happens in detention?

Youth attend school during the weekdays. Springfield Public Schools provides instruction and high school students may earn credits while in the facility.

Youth are provided weekly medical care through a partnership with Jordan Valley Health. A licensed therapist is available on site 40 hours per week to support youth and provide wellness support services and therapy.

A variety of wellness and therapeutic groups are provided throughout the week including:

• Yoga
• Music Therapy
• Substance use education
• Bible Study (optional)
• Life Skills training
• Character building groups
• Staff led activities

Youth are able to watch movies, use an interactive video learning game, and have access to a gym and an open air recreation space. A trained facility dog is also available to provide therapeutic support.

How to support your child

• Be supportive and encouraging.
• Remind them that they can turn things around and make better decisions starting today!
• Encourage them to follow the rules in detention.
• Model respect to our detention care team and encourage them to do the same.

What can you bring to your child

You are welcome to bring store bought toiletries including: shampoo, conditioner, hair gels, deodorant, and toothpaste. All items must be new and sealed. Contents may be transferred to different containers. No other items may be brought into the secure facility.

If you have questions

If you have a question — please ask! We understand this can be intimidating and frightening for guardians and kids. We want to help as much as we can.

If you need to express a concern, please begin by talking to the team members who are present. If they are unable to answer your questions you can speak with the Asst Superintendent or the Superintendent. If you are still not satisfied, the Superintendent will refer you to their leadership team.

• Detention Center brochure (PDF)