Juvenile Justice Center

The Chelan County Juvenile Center operates a 50-bed juvenile detention facility. The building was completed in 1998, and is located at the corner of Washington and Orondo, across the street from the old county courthouse.

Youth housed in the detention facility fall into two categories: pending and court-ordered. Pending youth are those who have been arrested by law enforcement either on a warrant or pursuant to the investigation of a new crime. These youth may be housed in detention while awaiting court hearings or the judge responsible for the case may allow release under a bail requirement and/or conditions of release. Court-ordered youth are those who have been found guilty and have been sentenced to detention by the court for a crime or a probation violation.

Assessment and Services

During a youth's stay in detention, services are available to address medical, emotional, and mental health needs. All youth receive standardized assessments to determine the existence and severity of substance abuse and mental health problems. Classes and groups are provided, as indicated, to address issues such as anger control, drug and alcohol use, and life skills.

Daily Activities

A full-time, in-house school program is operated by the Wenatchee School District. All detention youth are required to attend school Monday through Friday. Privileges are earned through a formal level system that requires youth to earn points for appropriate behavior every day. Chores, meals, and recreation and other structured activities make up the balance of the daily schedule. Whenever youth are confined to cells, staff make rounds to check on their status every 15 minutes.

Visitation and Phone Calls

Visitation is restricted to parents or guardians. Exceptions must be approved by the probation counselors. For visitation hours, see the Parent Information section below.

1. Visitation is a privilege, and allowed per the rules and level system.
2. Visitors may not bring food or drink.
3. All mail must be sent through the United States Postal Service.
4. Visitors must leave their coats, purses, and other belongings in the trunk of their car.
5. Youth may make one outgoing phone call per day to parent/guardian per the rules and level system.

Your child is being held at the Chelan County Juvenile Center. During your child’s stay, he or she has specific rights, responsibilities, and can earn specific privileges. 

A juvenile probation counselor will be assigned to your child’s case. Detention staff can assist you in answering some questions, but the juvenile probation counselor has primary authority over the case. If you do not know who the probation counselor is, please call the front desk at 509-667-6350. Call between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays for assistance. 

Programs

We require each youth to attend school in detention and, depending on the status of his or her case, a number of other programs during the day. These programs are designed to promote cooperation and teach youth how to stay out of trouble. They may include social skills training, drug/alcohol prevention or intervention, recreation and other structured activities.  

Rules and Level System

When youth are admitted, they are provided with a verbal orientation and the Rules and Level System booklet.  This booklet explains all the do’s and don’ts of detention.  Youth are tested on the rules, and can’t join the daily program until they pass the test.

The detention level system provides a positive atmosphere which encourages youth to behave appropriately during their stay.  Consistent rewards and consequences for positive and negative behavior are applied.

There are four levels in the level system, and youth move up or down based on the number of points they earn each day.  Points are earned in four categories, First Impressions, Manners, Personal Responsibility, and Self-Improvement.  Privileges are earned by moving to a higher level.  Ask your child or a staff member to further explain the level system to you.

Youth who present a high security risk based on the nature of their crimes or their behavior in detention are placed on security status.  Youth on security status may be confined to their rooms at times and forfeit other privileges.

Medical Services

You will be asked to sign a medical consent form for your child prior to medical services being provided.  If necessary, juvenile court administration will sign this form on your behalf.  Your child will receive all prescribed medications and be cared for by staff on duty.  If necessary, emergency treatment will be provided.  You may be billed for any medical services.

Religious Services / Observance

A chaplaincy program is offered at different times during the week.  Youth or families expressing a need for other religious instruction may make that request through their juvenile probation counselor. 

Visitation

Visiting is scheduled on the following days and times:

Visiting is scheduled on the quarter hour in 15-minute segments. There are three contact visiting rooms and two non-contact visiting rooms. If your child is on program level II or room confinement, you will visit in a non-contact visiting room.  If your child is on security, visits will not be allowed.

Please check in prior to visiting by pressing the intercom located by the lobby entrance on Washington Street. You will be given a time when the next group will enter.  When staff brings in the groups, if you are not present, you will be bumped to the next open time slot. Only parents and legal guardians may visit. Staff may ask you for identification prior to your visit. 

If you have not signed a medical consent form, let staff know and one will be provided. Do not bring food, candy, pop, clothes, games, cigarettes or reading material for your child. Notes or letters brought from home are not allowed. We provide all meals, clothing and toiletries as needed. Visitors are requested not to bring any personal items, except car keys, with them to visit. This will assist you in getting through court security faster. Coats, purses, bags, etc. are not allowed in detention. Coin-operated lock boxes are available for small items.

There is no smoking allowed during visits. Any person who is intoxicated or appears to have been drinking or using drugs will not be allowed to visit. Inappropriate language and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. We have the right to refuse or terminate visiting privileges in such situations. 

Letters and Phone Calls

Your child may send and receive letters via the U.S. Postal Service. No packages may be sent or received, and notes or letters brought from home are not allowed.  Incoming letters will be opened in your child’s presence to search for contraband, but letters will not ordinarily be read by staff. Outgoing mail from your child will not be read unless there is reason to believe it contains information that threatens the safety and security of the facility. 

Your child may make phone calls to you. Calls may be made during free time and visiting hours. Parents may not call youth in detention.

Damages and Contrabands

Any intentional damage done to the facility, or other misconduct, may result in the loss of privileges, monetary penalties and possible criminal charges. Any person trying to pass items to your child or trying to bring contraband into the facility could be charged with the crime of Introducing Contraband into a Correctional Facility. This is a serious offense. Contraband includes, but is not limited to, food items, tobacco products, matches, weapons and drugs.

Special Residential Programs

If your child is in the Secure Crisis Residential Center, you will be informed of other procedures, rules and information by staff from this program. 

More Resources

Grievance Process

Prison Rape Elimination Act

Posted: 01/21/2015 10:59 AM
Last Updated: 09/08/2022 08:50 AM