Riverside CA Juvenile Hall

You can support your loved ones at Riverside CA Juvenile Hall on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 951-358-4390.

The Riverside CA Juvenile Hall is a medium to low-security detention center located at 3933 Harrison Ave Riverside, CA 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 Probation Department operates three juvenile halls (Riverside, Southwest, and Indio) and two residential treatment centers (Riverside Youthful Offender Program and Indio Youthful Offender Program). The detention facilities house youth pending court hearings or placement. The residential centers provide programs of treatment and supervision for youth ordered placed out of their home by the court. YOP Aftercare Deputy Probation Officers are also assigned to the institutions and help the youth transition from residential treatment back to the community and supervise them once released.

Youth who are detained in a juvenile detention facility are pending court hearings, serving commitment time, or awaiting out-of-home placement in a foster/group home, camp or a county treatment facility. Youth can be placed in a treatment facility, by the courts, with the intent to rehabilitate and educate the youth prior to re-entering the community. A small percentage of youth apprehended by law enforcement agencies are actually detained in a juvenile detention facility. Most youth are released to their parent(s)/legal guardian(s).

Orientation Process:
All incoming youth will be oriented about juvenile facility procedures, rules, behavioral expectations, services and programming. Youth will be given an advisement of rights. The orientation is intended to prevent rule violations and to provide a safe and secure environment for both youth and staff. Accommodations will be made to provide information to youth who are impaired, disabled or do not speak English.

The following items shall be issued to youth upon their arrival to a living unit:
Linen/Clothing
2 Blankets
2 Sheets
1 Pillowcase
T-shirt
Shorts
Pants
Undergarments
Socks
Sweatshirt
Sweatpants
Sandals(shower shoes)
Tennis Shoes

Hygiene Supplies
Toothbrush
Comb/pick
Soap
Towel/Washcloth Toothpaste
Hygiene Bag
Deodorant

NOTE: Items at treatment facilities may vary

Intake Process:
After youth have been admitted into a juvenile detention facility, the Detention Control Officer (DCO) will begin the intake process. The DCO will read youth their Miranda Rights and speak with them. Here are some of the things that may be discussed:
A. Information regarding the youth’s:
address,
telephone number,
school name,
grade,
age,
birth date,
birthplace,
height,
weight, etc.
B. Information regarding the youth’s parents/legal guardians:
birth date,
birthplace,
contact information,
occupation, etc.
C. Information regarding school:
attendance history,
behavior,
grades, etc.
D. Health and mental health history.

After the interview, the DCO may make a telephone call to the youth’s parents/legal guardians. Youth may speak to their parents/legal guardians at this time. The DCO will also ask many of the same questions to the parents/legal guardians to verify information provided by the youth. The youth will also be required to take the following assessments, which are necessary to determine the needs of the youth while in custody:
A. MAYSI (Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument) Mental Health Assessment.
B. PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) Screening Assessment.
C. JAMS (Juvenile Intake Detention) Assessment.
Youth will be required to sign the following forms during the intake process:
A. Grievance Procedure B. Medical Record C. O.C. Pepper Spray Warning
D. Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Advisement E. Resident Orientation
F. Rights to Religious Services After the intake process, the DCO will prepare a packet of the youth’s information to be sent to the Probation Officer (assigned to court intake).

Court Process:
The youth’s allegations will be reviewed by the District Attorney and Probation Officer on the next judicial (working) day after the youth’s detention. If the District Attorney determines that the allegations against the youth are legally sufficient and the Probation Officer determines they should be detained, the youth’s case will be heard in court. If the allegation is a felony or misdemeanor that includes violence, possession and/or use of a weapon, and/or the youth is on probation/parole; they must appear in Juvenile Court within three (3) judicial (working) days after the youth’s detention. If the youth is not on probation/parole and the allegation is a misdemeanor that does not include violence, possession and/or use of a weapon; they must appear in Juvenile Court within two (2) judicial (working) days. The Probation Officer will notify the youth’s parents/legal guardians of the assigned court date.

If the youth is accused of committing a serious felony, for example: murder, arson or armed robbery, and they are 14 years or older at the time the crime was committed they can be tried as an adult in adult court. Youth will still be housed at juvenile hall, but they will attend adult court. The Probation Officer will advise the youth if their charges fall under this category. Youth may have a fitness for hearing in juvenile court to determine if their case will be heard in juvenile or adult court.

Legal Access:
Youth have the right to contact their attorney. This may be done by telephone, during free time periods, as explained in the “Telephone Use” section of this handbook. The best time to contact an attorney by telephone is during business hours between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Youth can ask a staff for assistance. Staff will make arrangements for them to contact their attorney during business hours.

Health Care:
On-site health care staff are responsible for carrying out the health care plan of each youth. Sick-call rounds, emergency treatment, and medication distribution are part of various duties completed by on-site health care staff.

A physician is also part of the on-site health care staff and is responsible for treating detained youth. A complete physical examination will be performed within 96 hours of intake, unless a physical exam has been completed within one year, including, but not limited to the following:
A. A medical history of past and present illness and treatment will be completed.
B. A medical examination will be conducted.
C. A dental examination to identify any emergency dental care will be conducted.
D. An eye exam will be conducted.
E. Laboratory screening.
F. Females will be given a urine pregnancy test. Any youth suspected of having a communicable disease that could pose a significant risk to others in the facility may be placed in medical isolation until cleared by on-site health care staff.

Medication Dispensing:
A. Medications will be dispensed as ordered by the doctor. Sick-Call:
A. Youth wanting to see an on-site health care staff must fill out a ”Request for Health Care Visit” form, located on each living unit.
B. Completed forms are placed in the confidential health care staff’s box, located on each living unit. C. On-site health care staff will retrieve forms, prioritize requests and see youth. Additional appointments or treatment may be completed at Juvenile Hall, Riverside County Regional Medical Center, other local hospitals, dental providers, or by referrals to the youth’s private medical physician.

Mental Health Care: If youth are experiencing an emotional crisis, they may request to speak to someone about it. If they are feeling sad, want to hurt themselves, believe they are depressed, or cannot emotionally adjust to a detention/treatment setting, they may request to speak to any staff. Youth can also be referred to a mental health staff for services. Youth may request counseling services at any time. Mental health request forms are available to youth on each living unit. Request forms can be placed in the confidential mental health staff’s box located on each living unit. Mental health staff check for new requests on a daily basis.