Detention Services

The Pima County Juvenile Detention Center Facility and Staff

The Pima County Juvenile Court Center operates a 186-bed, state-of-the-art detention facility. Opened in February 2000, the new facility combines technology with a well-trained, professional staff to create a secure environment for juveniles being detained by the court. These juveniles are accused of conduct subject to the jurisdiction of the court that requires a restricted environment for their own, or the community's, protection while pending legal action. Juveniles waiting transfer to another jurisdiction, or agency, may also be held at our Detention Center.

The Detention Center, located directly behind the main Juvenile Court building, provides numerous services that support a juvenile's physical, emotional and social status. These services include education, medical and mental health care, visitation, programming, and continuous adult supervision.

Interior POD Photo

Juveniles in the custody of the Detention Center are housed in one of ten living units. Each unit contains a dayroom, a classroom, shower stalls, and 20 single-bed rooms. The dayroom is the center of activity for detained juveniles. This is where the youths attend school, receive special programming, eat meals, and spend free time outside of their room. For safety and security, video monitors keep the dayroom under constant surveillance.

Interior Cell Photo

Each room, approximately 10 ft by 12 ft in size, has a bed, sink, and toilet. The youths are responsible for and expected to clean their rooms daily. Failing to keep their rooms neat and orderly can result in loss of privileges.

An outdoor recreation area is attached to each living unit. Juveniles are given at least one hour of exercise each day. Typical activities include basketball, volleyball, and circuit training. The Detention Center recognizes the importance of athletic activity for every juvenile’s physical and emotional well being.

Juvenile Detention Officers

Overseeing the operation of the living units are Juvenile Detention Officers (JDO). These officers have received more than 200 hours of orientation training and 26 hours of annual in-service training.

Areas of training include:

● Adolescent development and behaviors	● Conflict resolution and dispute mediation
● Crisis prevention and intervention	● Cultural Diversity
● Defensive tactics	● Drug awareness
● Ethics	● First Aid
● Leadership	● Non-violent control techniques
● Programming	● Suicide prevention
● Verbal and non-verbal communication skills

The primary responsibility of Juvenile Detention Officers is the safety, security, and welfare of all juveniles under their control. Using Direct Podular Supervision, the officers are assigned to work inside each living unit in close physical proximity of the juveniles. They observe, monitor and interact with the juveniles at all times and in all activities. They document observations in daily behavioral reports prepared on each juvenile.

These officers are also responsible for directing the daily activities of the juveniles. These activities include personal hygiene, school, meal preparation, and housekeeping duties. The officers also enforce Detention Center policies and rules designed to maintain a safe and secure environment for all juveniles, staff, and visitors. When necessary, they determine detainee rule infractions, issue consequences for those infractions, if appropriate, and prepare a written report of the incident.

Juvenile Detention Officers assist Detention Center teachers and special instructors in presenting various skill building and competency development programming activities provided to juveniles.

The Detention Administration is comprised of supervisors and program coordinators in the areas of operations, safety and security, programming, transportation, kitchen, laundry, support services, and staff development.

The Detention Facility is a 24-hour operation. For questions pertaining to visitation, call 740-5051. For questions regarding Intake/Receiving, call 740-2003.