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Detention Centers

Welcome to the new Department of Juvenile Services website!

DJS is excited to provide you with a newly designed website built to improve user experience. We would love to hear your feedback on the new site – please email your thoughts to [email protected].

Detention centers serve several groups of youth, including:

  • Youth who have been deemed likely to reoffend or not appear for court while waiting for their court hearing or waiting for a court to decide how their case will be handled

  • Youth who have been deemed likely to reoffend or not appear for court while a court decides whether the case will be handled in adult or juvenile court

  • Youth who have been ordered by a judge to enter a treatment program and are waiting for a placement

  • Youth are also commonly detained for writs and warrants issued by the court or violations of alternative to detention (ATD) program conditions

Detention admissions

Every youth who is admitted to a detention facility takes part in an orientation. Additionally, as part of the admissions process:

  • An admissions officer interviews youth to collect and verify basic information.
  • Each youth has a photograph taken for their case record.
  • Each youth receives a facility handbook that includes information on facility procedures, the behavior motivation program, services and programming, grievance procedures, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
  • Youth are given clothing to wear. Personal clothing is cleaned and stored securely.

The admissions process also includes an initial health screening.

  • A registered nurse reviews physical health, mental health, and substance abuse needs.

  • A licensed physician or nurse practitioner conducts a review of medical history and a physical examination within seven days of admission.

Detention case management

Youth are assigned a DJS community case manager and a facility case manager. The facility case manager:

  • Acts as a liaison with the court, family, community case manager, and treatment service providers while the youth is in detention
  • Assists youth with understanding the facility handbooks and the behavior motivation program upon admission to the facility  
  • Answers any questions the youth may have
  • Facilitates individual meetings, weekly groups, and activities
  • Monitors youth progress in the behavior motivation program may provide information and input for the Multidisciplinary Assessment Staffing Team (MAST) meetings 

The community case manager:

  • Visits the youth in detention
  • Interviews the youth and family
  • Completes required investigations and/or assessments, such as a Social History Investigation or Maryland Comprehensive Assessment and Service Planning (MCASP) Risk & Needs Assessment