Montgomery County, PA

Any child who is referred for admission to Secure Detention must be approved by the Montgomery County Juvenile Probation Department and be accompanied by a legally signed and notarized petition alleging a delinquent act or a signed court order authorizing detention. A detention hearing before the Juvenile Judge must then be held within 72 hours to determine if the child is to remain in custody pending further court action.  The basic purpose of the detention program is to provide secure short term protective care and custody to juveniles ages 10 – 18 who have allegedly violated the law or have been adjudicated delinquent for a criminal offense and have been deemed to represent a danger to either themselves or the community.

 

All detention residents attend school Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Detention counselors or recreational counselors provide residents with structured activities after school and on weekends.  Secure detention counselors supervise the residents at all times to assure the residents’ safety and security.  Each resident has his/her own room unless the population exceeds thirty-six.  In this case, select residents may be asked to temporarily double up until the population decreases to thirty-six or below.

Clothing and all toiletry items are provided by the Youth Center; however, residents may wear their own sneakers.  All laundry is done daily by the Youth Center.  

 

Only parents and guardians may visit residents of secure detention.

 

 

Saturday from

10:00 am to 11:00 am

 

Sunday from

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

 

Wednesday from

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

 

Special visiting times can be arranged through the Youth Center Caseworker if a parent is unable to visit at these times.  If requested, significant others may be granted permission to visit by the Caseworker just prior to a resident’s discharge to another program. A written permission form must be available from the caseworker to authorize the visit.

 

All visitors must have a photo ID and must pass through a metal detector prior to their going back into the living units.  Cell phones, purses, tobacco products, matches, lighters or other contraband may not be brought into the building.  Parents may bring food or beverages for their child to eat during the visit, but must take home any food or drink not consumed.  No food, candy or drinks can be left in a resident’s room.

 

When parents come to the Youth Center for the first time they should bring with them the following:

The child’s social security card or a copy of his SS number.
Their medical insurance card.
The name and phone number of their family doctor and dentist.
A copy of the child’s immunization records if available.  Papers can be copied at the Center.
A photo ID.                                          Return to Home