Juvenile Detention
1501 Cedar Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616)336-3701
Fax: (616) 336-2166
Answers to Your Questions
Because of your child’s behavior, it is necessary for him/her to live temporarily at the Juvenile Detention Center.
A Family Division probation officer will study the case and will decide if your child may go home or if she/he must stay in Detention until a Judge makes a final decision.
The probation officer will talk with you and your child. If you have questions, the probation officer is the person who will decide if and when your child is to be released from Detention. The staff members with whom you talk during visiting hours cannot discuss release plans, or plans for your child’s future, simply because they do not know.
You will have questions about what is happening to your child while he/she is here. In the following pages we have tried to answer some of them for you. If you have further questions, the staff will try to answer them.
Whom do I contact about my child’s case?
A Family Division probation officer should be contacted by you at once. If you don’t know his/her name, call the Court and ask. The number is 632-5106. The Court is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Why are the doors locked?
The doors are locked for two reasons:
1. Most of the children here would rather be someplace else, and an unlocked
door might be too much of a temptation, and if the child runs away, he/she
is only getting into further trouble. The doors are locked for the protection
of your child.
2. Your child has his/her own room. Rooms are kept locked for everyone’s safety.
What medical facilities are available?
If your child stays long enough in Detention, he/she will be examined by our doctor who is here twice each week. There is a routine physical examination which includes a blood test. Our dentist is here one day a month. He does a dental examination and some dental repair.
Nursing staff are on duty from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., Monday through Sunday, and our doctor is always on call. If your child becomes ill or has an accident, the facilities of local hospitals are used. If such an emergency happens, you will be notified.
If your child takes prescription medication, these should be brought to Detention in the original bottle with the original prescription label intact. Medical staff will verify these prescriptions with the physician provided on the bottle.
When will my child be released?
Each case is different. You must talk to the probation officer about this.
What are the rules about visiting my child?
Regular visiting hours are as follows:
| Last Name begins with | Time | |
| Sunday |
A - K |
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday |
A - K L - Z |
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. |
You must produce a photo identification in order to visit. Only a parent or legal guardian may visit. NO other persons, juvenile or adult, may visit during these hours. Please do not bring infants, children or other youth with you when you come because they will not be admitted. Parents should provide someone to supervise young children in the lobby if they must come along. They will not be allowed to visit. All personal belongings must be placed in a locker before you enter the Detention area.
May our minister visit?
Yes, at any time. However, clergy visits should be from the minister of your church and must have clergy identification. Our chaplains are available to your child and you.
May I write or telephone my child?
You may write as often as you like. All mail is screened by the probation
officer. Phone privileges are earned based on a resident’s behavior
and length of stay.
Procedure for Complaints
If you or your child has a concern, discuss this with a Shift Supervisor, who will explain the complaint procedure to you.
Staff members will try to answer any other questions you might have. Feel free to ask them.
Personal Care Items
We furnish each child with the following items: daily clothing, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair cream, shampoo, soap, deodorant, and hand cream. They may use their own gym shoes.
What things may I bring to my child?
Your child’s diet while at the Center is very adequate.
Detention has a store where youngsters may purchase “goodies” if they have earned points by their good behavior. Do not bring food, candy, money, matches or lighters, cigarettes, or any perishable items when you visit.
Violations of the above may result in loss of visiting privileges.
What does my child do at the Juvenile Center?
We try to understand your child and find out why he/she is in trouble. The
probation officer talks to your child often, and your child may do any or
all of the following things: attend school including physical education and
classroom work, attend chapel services on Sunday; seasonal activities, and
life and social skill education.
Children are expected to maintain their own room and adhere to a behavior
management system in order to keep their privileges.
What type of discipline is used?
Discipline consists of confinement to his/her room or the loss of a privilege. Physical punishment is not allowed.
