Winnebago County IL Juvenile Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Winnebago County IL Juvenile Detention Center on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 815-516-2980.

The Winnebago County IL Juvenile Detention Center is a medium to low-security detention center located at 5350 Northrock Dr Rockford, IL 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.

Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center's present site was opened as a 32-bed facility in January 1992. The capacity of this building was expanded to 48 beds in the fall of 1995. The building contains activity rooms, a kitchen, a dining room (which also serves as the visitation area), classrooms, laundry, gymnasium, and an outdoor recreation area. All minors stay in separate rooms except during overcrowding conditions when the gymnasium and common areas are utilized for sleeping facilities. A conscious effort was made in the overall design of the Detention Center to reduce the obtrusiveness of the necessary institution features. It has been recognized by local architects for its outstanding design and the facility has served as a model for others which have been constructed throughout the nation.

How do I contact my child?

• Parents and siblings are allowed to correspond with minors via US Mail. Incoming phone calls to the minors in the facility are not allowed.

How long will my child be held in Detention?

• A number of factors affect the length of time a minor will stay in the detention center. These factors include the severity of the crime with which the minor is charged; the speed at which necessary information is made available to the court; and the availability of suitable living arrangements for the minor when they are released.

How does my child attend school?

• Three District 205 special education teachers and para-professional instruct students throughout the year, including the summer months.

What if my child needs a haircut?

• Arrangements can be made for a personal barber or beautician to come to the facility for haircuts. Any cost associated with this service is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

My child takes medication or has medical needs. How is that addressed?

• The detention center has nursing staff on site between 8 AM and 10 AM as well as 8 PM and 10 PM every day. The nursing staff coordinates the distribution of all medication and how medical needs can best be addressed in the facility. Parents or Legal Guardians are financially responsible for providing all prescription medications as well as for any emergency or ongoing medical services which are deemed necessary by our medical provider.

Can I bring food/snacks to my child in Detention?

• All food and snack items are provided by the facility. Parents may donate snack food items to the facility with the understanding that it will be used as part of the points program (token economy) and that their child will have to use points to purchase the item(s) if they are available when it is their turn to spend points.

Can I set up a tour of the detention center for my child?

• Due to both security and confidentiality issues, tours of the secure portions of the facility by individuals under the age of 21 are not allowed unless they are in a recognized College Degree program and a tour has been set up by their College. The Detention Superintendent will meet with young people and their parents to discuss what the facility is like and the programming which occurs in detention. Individuals interested in a meeting such as this should call the facility at 815-516-2980 for more information.

How do I get my child admitted to the Detention Center?

• Admission to the center is based on a variety of factors which have been translated into a screening instrument. Minors presented by the police for admission are evaluated based on a number of factors and only those meeting the established criteria are lodged in the facility.

Can I have a copy of the police report?

• The arresting agency has procedures as to when police reports are accessible to the public. Individuals requesting a copy of the police report need to contact the individual police department to determine their policy on the release of juvenile police reports. For an arrest by Winnebago County Sheriff's Department call 815-319-6100. For an arrest by The Rockford Police Department, call 815-987-5902.

Release Information

Minors who are being released to their homes must be picked up by a responsible adult who has been authorized by the Probation Department or the State's Attorney's Office to accept the minor. Releases will be processed only during the following times:

7:30 am - 9:00 am
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm