Detention

The Linn County Juvenile Detention Center provides secure temporary residential care for youth, ages 12 to 18 years, who are or are alleged to be delinquent, and who pose a threat to themselves or to the community.

Referrals

The Juvenile Detention Center serves primarily Linn County and Johnson County. Admissions are accepted upon the authority of the Juvenile Court and/or the arresting jurisdiction. The Juvenile Court Judge, or his/her designee, makes the decision whether to continue to hold a youth in detention, to place elsewhere, or to release. No youth is held more than 24 hours without a court order. Referrals will be screened under Iowa Code Chapter 232 with the use of a state-wide detention screening tool. Only youth who require secure custody should be held in the Juvenile Detention Center. The vast majority of youth who need temporary placement are more appropriately placed in shelter care.

Program Guarantees

Linn County Juvenile Detention program includes:

• Safe, secure, 24-hour-a-day supervision
• Individualized education, recreation, and behavior management programs
• Group and individualized guidance and counseling
• Medical, psychiatric, psychological, educational and behavioral evaluations when ordered by the Juvenile Court
• Chaplain Ministry

Program Policies

• Visiting Policy (PDF)
• Phone Call Policy (PDF)
• PREA Policy (PDF)
• Mail Policy (PDF)
• Wellness Policy (PDF)
  • Triennial Assessment 2023 (PDF)
  • Civil Rights Grievance Policy (PDF)

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are:

• Monday through Friday: 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. 
• Wednesday Evening: 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Visits are normally limited based on resident's current behavioral level. Parents must call the Center in advance to schedule a visiting time. To ensure fairness during peak visiting times, parents will be held to the block of time they reserved, even if they arrive late.

PREA Audit

View the current PREA Audit Report.

Learn more about PREA as it pertains to the Juvenile Detention Center.