Parent Information

PORTER COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER
1660 South State Road 2, Valparaiso, Indiana 46385
Phone: (219) 465-3520

PARENT INFORMATION
NOTE: Any exceptions to the following policies must be approved by Director/Asst. Director of the Juvenile Detention Center.

VISITING POLICY: Residents will be allowed minimum three (30 minute) visits per week. A maximum of 3 people may visit at a time

People allowed to visit residents include: 

1. Parents or legal guardians (unless visits have been revoked by the Judge, Juvenile Probation or Juvenile Detention).
2. Resident's spouse or children.
3. Siblings and grandparents can visit when a resident is on Phase 4, siblings must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
4. If a resident is departing for further placement such as to a residential facility or Department of Correction (does not include temporary placement to the DOC for the purposes of diagnostic testing), grandparents and siblings can visit once prior to the resident's placement. Siblings must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

If parents will not visit the resident together (divorced, separated, etc.), the following options are available: 

1. Parents can split the visiting time.
2. Parents can alternate visits (one can visit on one night and the other can visit on another night).

It is the responsibility of the parents to contact the center to make the visiting arrangements. Residents have the right to refuse a visit.

VISITING HOURS: 

MONDAY through SATURDAY 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM
SUNDAY* 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM, 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM

All visits MUST be scheduled by calling 465-3520. You may not schedule visits more than one (1) day in advance. If you arrive at the center during visitation hours without a visiting time, you will not be allowed to visit with your child. Visitors should be prepared to show identification at time of visit.

*When residents reach Phase 4 parents/guardians may bring in a snack for their child during the Sunday visit. It must consist only of a factory sealed, 20oz. or smaller drink (no energy drinks or hot beverages) and factory sealed, individual sized snack.

TELEPHONE CALL POLICY:
Residents will be allowed three, five-minute telephone calls with a parent/guardian per week. Residents who reach Phase 4 status will be allowed three, ten minute telephone calls with a parent/guardian per week.

A resident may speak with only family members at their legal residence. Three-way calling to another residence is not allowed. If the resident speaks to non-family members or engages in a three-way call, sanctions will occur. Note: A resident is allowed calls to their Attorney, Probation Officer, DCS Case Manager, or other professionally approved persons upon request. These calls do not count against a resident's total telephone privileges per week.

TELEPHONE CALL TIMES:
MONDAY through FRIDAY: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
SATURDAY & SUNDAY: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

MAIL POLICY:
No letter will be accepted unless sent through the United States Mail. Notes or letters are not accepted at the door of the Juvenile Detention Center or while the resident is at Court. Faxes will not be accepted.

Residents are furnished three envelopes per week upon request. Parents may supply stamped envelopes for additional writing. All outgoing letters are to be sent through the United States Mail. Anything brought to the Juvenile Detention Center, and intended for a resident's use, must first be given to the Detention Center staff for inspection.

Note: Residents serving a weekend commitment will not have visitation, phone, or mail privileges.

TRANSPORTATION NOTICE:
If a resident is to be transported outside of the Juvenile Detention Center for any reason (i.e.: medical and therapeutic appointments), he/she will be transported in handcuffs and accompanied by Detention Center staff at all times. If parents/guardians are present for any appointment outside of the Detention Center while a juvenile is still in custody, the parent/guardian will not be allowed to give anything to the resident without first checking with Detention staff.

CONTRABAND AND TRAFFICKING WITH AN INMATE: IC 35-44.1-3-5
Trafficking with an inmate or child: …
a person who, without the prior authorization of the person in charge of a … juvenile facility knowingly or intentionally:
(1) delivers, or carries into the penal facility or juvenile facility with intent to deliver, an article to an inmate or child of the facility;
(2) carries, or receives with intent to carry out of the penal facility or juvenile facility, an article from an inmate or child of the facility; …
commits trafficking with an inmate, a Class A misdemeanor …
The offense … is a Level 5 felony if the article is:
(1) a controlled substance
(2) a deadly weapon; or
(3) a cellular telephone or other wireless or cellular communications device

*You and your child may be held financially responsible for destruction of Center property and/or your child may be held criminally liable.

SERVICES:
While in the Juvenile Detention Center residents will have access to medical, therapeutic and educational services. Educational programming is conducted Monday through Friday year round under the supervision of a certified teacher. If a resident is currently enrolled in school, education staff will obtain homework assignments. Religious programming is provided on a voluntary basis and/or resident or family may request clergy of choice.

*Porter County Juvenile Detention has zero tolerance for sexual abuse and sexual harassment of residents. Any suspected incidents of sexual abuse or harassment can be reported to JDC staff or phoned in to: 

Department of Child Services 800-800-5556
Porter County Sheriff's Police Department 219-477-3000