Lake County IN Juvenile Center

You can support your loved ones at Lake Co Juvenile on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 219-769-4664.

The Lake County IN Juvenile Center is a medium to low-security detention center located at 3000 93rd Ave Crown Point, IN 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 Center emphasizes programs that will offer a positive influence on each child who is detained at the Center. These programs stress specific factors and offer the following: A secure but non damaging physical setting where external controls provide a safe, clean and orderly living environment. Programs of constructive activities which include education, recreation, social skills and life skills groups are done by the detention staff. In detention, children should experience and be influenced by programs which respond to their needs in a positive manner. Limits and controls are also an important part of the programs designed to turn the child around towards socially acceptable behavior.

Education Services - The Education Department at the Juvenile Center gives the resident the opportunity to continue to earn credit from their home school regardless of age and ability while detained. The parents will need to bring in their child’s school books and class assignments from the school. The education staff will give assistance and monitor the resident in the completion of the school work. All residents of the Juvenile Center have a structured class schedule Monday through Friday which includes: Life Skills, Physical Education, Science and Recreation.

Life Skills provide a wide range of materials to further residents return home.

Physical Education allows the resident to go to the Gymnasium or the Court Yard for large muscle activity.

Science Class uses several media and periodical sources to present matters pertaining to the science world such as animal behavior, global warming and ecological concerns.

Art Recreation Class allows the resident to create projects.

From 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm the Education Department also offers after school and weekend classes that residents can attend for an additional one hour of class for Remedial Math, Language Arts, Reading and GED preparation (when applicable). Juvenile attending the after school classes are given a pretest and a post-test.

Medical Services - The Juvenile Center is staffed with two full-time nurses who deal with the medical needs of the children detained. There is always a nurse on call when the medical staff is not in the building. When a child is new to the facility, the nurse will do a medical unit intake on the child to assess for health issues that the juvenile might have. The nurse dispenses medications as prescribed by the child’s doctor if the parent or legal guardian brings them to the Center. If the juvenile comes into the Center with a preexisting medical issue, the nurse deals with that child’s family doctor to insure that the child gets the appropriate treatment. If a child is released from the Juvenile Center, the medical staff makes sure that the parent or legal guardian gets the child’s medication and given follow up information on any medical issues that the medical staff are aware of for the child. The medical staff deals with any medical issues that arise while the juvenile is at the Juvenile Center. If a child needs medical attention while at the Juvenile Center and is taken to the hospital emergency room, the Medical Director (Doctor) will deal with the ER doctor to ensure proper treatment for said child.

The medical staff will also notify the parent or legal guardian if the child has any dental issues while detained and if needed will help set up an appointment (parent or legal guardians responsibility) if necessary. The nurse will also make a follow up call to see if the family took the child for treatment.

Mental Health Services - The Juvenile Center has a Clinical Psychologist and full-time Therapist (MSW) on staff who deals with the mental health issues of the children detained. The psychologist will do assessments as needed for substances, psycho-educational, psycho-sexual, and cognitive / personality and psychological evaluations for the Court. The therapist will do a mental health evaluation on the juvenile after their Detention Hearing. The Mental Health Unit provides services according to the individual needs of the child. Referrals for further evaluations are done by order of the Court. The therapist will make referrals for services as needed for a child who is released back into the community.

Secure Detention Alternative Program - The Secure Detention Alternative Program is a unique form of detention that in conjunction with probation endeavors to make available to the Court an alternative to secure detention for juveniles who might otherwise be detained at the Lake County Juvenile Center or committed to the Department of Corrections. This program perpetuates the court’s philosophy of compassion towards “at-risk” children as well as providing an additional graduated sanction option in the courts effort to provide the “least restrictive” environment for the child. The Secure Detention Alternative Program has four (4) levels of supervision: In-House Detention, In-House Detention level 2 with a monitor, Intensive Probation, and Intensive Probation level 2 with a monitor. In-House Detention and In-House Detention level 2 are (for the most part) pre-adjudicated cases. This means the juvenile has not formally gone to Court and found delinquent on the complaint. Intensive Probation and Intensive Probation level 2 with a monitor are post adjudicated cases. This means the juvenile has been found to be delinquent by the Court and ordered on probation. All of these programs must have at least one parent or legal guardian in the home willing to assume responsibility for the juvenile’s compliance to the program rules.

In-House Detention - In-House Detention: This level is for juveniles who are either low-level offenders, first-time offenders with no prior contact with the Juvenile Court and no evidence supporting risk of flight or safety to the community. When a juvenile is ordered on In-House Detention the juvenile is to remain in their home except to attend school, religious services, work (if allowed), and medical as well as psychological appointments. When on In-house Detention the juvenile is allowed call-out privileges as long as they are in the company of their parent or legal guardian. Juveniles on In-House Detention receive random phones calls, home visits, school visits and employment visits when allowed to work.

Intensive Probation - This level of Probation is intended for juveniles that might otherwise be committed to the Department of Corrections. This program is designed as a response to those children who require the most intensive and restrictive supervision the Court has at its disposal. This level of supervision targets those juveniles who have been identified as “unworkable” under traditional probation supervision. Juveniles on Intensive Probation are required to be in their home except to attend school, church, work (if allowed), medical and psychological appointments. Children on Intensive Probation may participate in approved organized sporting and academic activities. There will be random phone calls, worksite visits and school visits. Juveniles on Intensive Probation level one will be entitled to a four-hour call-out on the weekend and must be taken in one four hour block. The call-out cannot be split into more than the one call out. The juvenile must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times during the call out. All call-outs must have the approval of the Intensive Probation Officer. Juveniles on Intensive Probation will receive Home-Based Services which will include counseling, mentoring, and tutoring as needed. Juveniles on intensive are expected to be attending an educational program.

Intensive Probation Level 2 - This level of Probation is intended for juveniles that might otherwise be committed to the Department of Corrections. This program is designed as a response to those children who require the most intensive and restrictive supervision the Court has at its disposal. This level of supervision targets those juveniles who have been identified as “unworkable” under traditional probation supervision. Juveniles on Intensive Probation level 2 will be required to wear an ankle monitor and are required to be in their home except to attend school, church, work (if allowed), medical and psychological appointments. Children on Intensive Probation level 2 may participate in approved organized sporting and academic activities. There will be random phone calls, worksite visits and school visits. Juveniles on Intensive Probation level 2 will receive Home-Based Services which will include counseling, mentoring, and tutoring as needed. Juveniles on Intensive Probation level 2 are expected to be attending an educational program.

Religious Services - The Juvenile Center does not have formal religious services held at the Center. The Juvenile Center does have many religious denominations that request to come in and provide religious guidance for those children who would like to attend these services. As long as they meet the criteria set by the Juvenile Center they are allowed to hold a service.