Mission Statement
As an integral part of the criminal justice system, Probation protects our community by:
- Promoting responsible behavior and offender accountability
- Providing objective information and recommendations to the Courts
- Operating safe and secure juvenile facilities and programs
- Partnering with the community to provide direct services to offenders, families and victims
Stanislaus County Probation is committed to maintaining an environment free from sexual abuse and sexual harassment of clients in its facilities. There is a zero tolerance for anyone to engage in any form of sexual abuse or sexual harassment of a client. In this definition, “staff” includes: contractors, vendors, and volunteers of the Stanislaus County Probation Department as well as staff from other Federal, State and local jurisdictions. A “client” is defined as someone confined to a detention or commitment facility.
What Is the Purpose of Juvenile Hall
The Juvenile Hall provides temporary, safe and secure detention for minors who are alleged to have committed law violations and are awaiting Juvenile Court hearings, placement in foster care/group home, or placement in the Department of Juvenile Justice. The Juvenile Hall is a maximum security detention facility for juveniles who have committed offenses prior to their 18th birthday. Juveniles who are arrested and not released by law enforcement agencies are delivered into the Probation Officer’s custody at Juvenile Hall. Those youth who are detained by Juvenile Court are kept in custody pending completion of their court proceedings. The Juvenile Commitment Facility houses youth who require a period of incarceration as part of their final disposition or youth that are pending placement. While in Juvenile Hall and the Juvenile Commitment Facility youth are provided with a healthy, safe environment that keeps them securely detained.
Standards require a comprehensive program which includes education, recreation, counseling, health and religious activities.
All detained youth are provided with:
- Secure physical care
- Comprehensive school program
- Assessment and medical/mental health services
- Alcohol and drug abuse prevention services
- Spiritual counseling and religious services (upon request)
- Clean clothing and personal hygiene items
What Happens When Your Child Is Placed In Juvenile Hall
Admittance Process: When a minor is arrested for a law violation and brought to Juvenile Hall, the arresting officer will attempt to contact the parent(s) by telephone, or in person to notify them of the arrest and the minor’s location.
If the officer is unable to contact the parent(s) or a responsible adult, Juvenile Hall staff will continue efforts to reach the parent(s) until contact is successfully made. The initial contact with the parent(s) will include a general description of the circumstances of the arrest and where the minor is detained.
This discussion will also include the approximate date and time of the minor’s first court appearance.
The Probation Department Intake Unit will recontact the parent(s), and provide exact information regarding the date and time of court hearings and conditions for the minor’s release from custody.
All minors are allowed to make two telephone calls within one hour of their admission to Juvenile Hall. One of the telephone call may be made to a parent or guardian or employer and the second may be made to an attorney.
Legal Representation
All minors appearing in Juvenile Court will be represented by an attorney. The attorney is retained and paid for by the parent(s), or the Court may appoint representation. The court-appointed attorneys are from the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Officer. The parent(s) are financially responsible for the cost of the court-appointed Public Defender. All legal questions should be referred to the attorney. The Public Defender can be reached at (209) 525-4592.
Medical
After a minor is booked, the parent(s) will be asked to sign a Medical Consent form. This allows the minor’s health needs to be taken care of while in custody. If your child has a medical problem, or takes prescription medicine, inform Juvenile Hall staff immediately.
Visiting Hours/Protocol
Parent(s) or guardian(s) may visit their child during regularly scheduled visiting times. Regular visiting times are:
Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Juvenile Commitment Center
Saturdays 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thursdays 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
*Unit 5 and Unit 5 Youths housed in Unit 6 requiring no contact visits: Arranged by appointment
- Photo identification is required. Only current and valid identification including driver’s license, passports, alien registration cards, visas, or a Mexican Consulate registration form will be accepted. Photo identification must be provided.
- Only parent(s), guardian(s), or those authorized by the Court may visit.
Telephone Calls
When authorized by Juvenile Hall Institution staff, minors may use the collect telephone system to make calls.
Correspondence
Detained minors may write and receive mail. Postage is provided for the minor’s outgoing mail (maximum two letters per week). Parent(s) or guardian(s) may leave additional stamps with Juvenile Hall Institutions staff. All incoming mail is inspected for contraband and, if noted, the main will be returned to sender. Correspondence may be addressed as follows:
Youth’s Name
Stanislaus Count Juvenile Hall
2215 Blue Gum Avenue
Modesto, CA 95358
Financial Responsibility
Parent(s) or guardian(s) are responsible for the cost of Juvenile Hall and Public Defender fees. The Probation Department through its Accounting office, administers the program for collection of Juvenile Institutions and attorney costs and charges. Parent(s) are responsible for any damage to the facility caused by their child(ren).
Physical Care
Detained minors are provided clothing and bedding, nutritious meals, necessary person hygiene items, recreational opportunities and reading material.
All Juvenile Institutions staff are peace officers. They are trained to carry Oleo-resin Capsicum (pepper spray) and are permitted to use it when necessary within the facility. While detained in the Juvenile Institutions, your child will have certain rights. These rights include: fair discipline and equal treatment; the ability to file a grievance on the handling of disciplinary sanctions; and, reasonable protection from threats of harm and mistreatment.
School
A full-time, year around school is provided by the Stanislaus County Department of Education for all grade levels. All minors will attend school while detained.
Inquiries
If you have questions about your child’s Juvenile Institution status, medical inquiries, or to talk to your child’s assigned Probation Officer, call (209) 525-5400 (8).
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