Kitsap County Juvenile Detention Facility

You can support your loved ones at Kitsap County Juvenile Detention Facility on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 360-337-5401.

The Kitsap County Juvenile Detention Facility is a medium to low-security detention center located at 1338 Southwest Old Clifton Road Port Orchard, WA that is operated locally by the Juvenile Justice Department and holds youths awaiting the determination of punishment for the crimes of which they are accused. Most of the adolescents are here for less than two years.

The juvenile justice system differs from the adult system, focusing on rehabilitation and recognizing the developmental differences in juveniles. It aims to protect both the child and the public and helps juveniles become productive adults.

Juveniles are detained if they pose a threat, may miss court, or violate court orders. Parental involvement is crucial for effective supervision and rehabilitation.

Key differences in terminology include "taken into custody" instead of "arrest" and "supervision" instead of "probation." Referrals usually come from law enforcement, and an intake social worker decides the juvenile's placement. An inquiry can lead to dismissal, corrective action, or court involvement.

The process includes a plea hearing, possible evaluations, a pre-trial conference, a fact-finding hearing, and a dispositional hearing to determine the case's outcome. Parents may need to cover associated costs.

The Juvenile Detention Facility, which includes one living unit dedicated to the Secure Crisis Residential Center (S-CRC), is a 103 bed operation, with a total of 8 living units (“pods”), with additional beds in the intake/booking and medical areas. Physically, the facility is separate from the court building. It operates 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, and is equipped to operate for several days on its own should a catastrophic event occur.

Youth who are booked for criminal offenses by law enforcement, or who are ordered to be held by a judge for pre-trial or post-trial reasons, will serve time in secure detention. During the course of his/her stay, s/he will lead a very structured and regimented lifestyle. Detainees are responsible for daily attendance at school, and for cleaning and laundry duties as necessary.

There are no television or radio amenities within the living units (“pods”), and consequently, the detainees’ sources of structured activity revolve around such things as pod educational counseling sessions, drug and alcohol counseling, Alateen meetings, Life Skills Building, religious fellowship meetings, as well as exercising, playing volley ball, and basketball. Detainees are afforded the opportunity for sick and well-care medical services, as well as therapeutic counseling and interventions through the local mental health center and private therapists.

Community Alternatives to Secure Detention Program

Originally funded for three years (1996-1999) by the state Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, the goal of this program has been to move lower risk offenders out of secure detention into less expensive community based alternatives. These alternatives have included supervised community service work crews, electronic home monitoring, and house arrest. The program, now funded through County General Fund monies, has an impressive record of reducing the amount of secure detention bed days by over 20,000, with a total of more than 2,000 participants during the program’s lifetime. A total of over 32,000 hours of community service work has been performed at local private/non-profit, public, or governmental agencies. It has been recognized by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners as one that excels in the areas cost effectiveness and performance.

Medical Program

The Juvenile Department contracts with the Bremerton-Kitsap County Health District to render its medical services to detainees and the residents in S-CRC. The medical staff are a composite of registered nurses, a physicians assistant, and a registered nurse practitioner. Detainees are seen for a variety of common medical maladies, such as colds and flu, as well as being treated for issues ranging from sprains and broken bones to sexually transmitted diseases. The Health District also provides in-service trainings to the detention officers and residential counselors on a host of topics, such as how to treat youth whose health is compromised due to diabetes or respiratory ailments.
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Mental Health

The county's comprehensive mental health center, Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) provides evaluations of detainees and S-CRC residents through their County Designated Mental Health Professionals (CDMHP) for the purpose of involuntary or voluntary commitment to one of several psychiatric facilities. The local facility, the Adolescent Treatment Unit of KMHS is a 10-bed facility, accredited by the Joint Commission On Accreditation For Hospitals, whose mission is to treat youth who are demonstrating behaviors which pose a threat to themselves or others.

Additionally, members of the Care Coordination Team of KMHS provide counseling to detainees and residents as the need arises, initiated either by staff or youth

Food Services

In 2002, the Food Services staff including extra help totaled 15. Every staff member participated in a joint effort to produce and serve a total of 17,466 breakfasts, 20, 310 lunches, and 19, 395 dinners. The 57,171 total meals were guided by the Federal USDA regulations, although considerations were given to additional increases in portion sizes and “detainee friendly” menus.