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This page lists all 13 juvenile facilities in Iowa. You can browse by county below, search for specific facilities, or navigate to related pages.
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About Juvenile Facilities in Iowa
Understanding juvenile facilities in the Iowa
Welcome to the most complete and up-to-date directory of juvenile detention facilities and youth correctional centers in Iowa. This page lists every active juvenile justice facility operating in Iowa, providing parents, guardians, family members, attorneys, social workers, and advocates with fast, reliable access to accurate information about the juvenile justice system. Whether you need to locate a young person who has been detained, find contact details for a specific facility, understand visitation procedures, or learn how the juvenile correctional system works in Iowa, everything you need is available right here.
Understanding the Juvenile Justice System
The juvenile justice system in Iowa operates separately from the adult criminal justice system. It is designed around the principle that young people have a greater capacity for rehabilitation than adults, and that the primary goal should be rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Depending on the severity of the offense, the young person's age, and their prior record, they may be released to their parents, placed on probation, assigned to a community-based program, or committed to a juvenile detention facility. The facilities on this page represent the full range of secure and non-secure options.
How Juvenile Justice Differs From the Adult System
- Focus on Rehabilitation: Prioritizes treatment, education, and behavioral change over punishment.
- Confidentiality: Juvenile records are generally sealed and not part of the public record.
- Juvenile Court: Cases are handled in juvenile court with different proceedings, terminology, and outcomes.
- Age Jurisdiction: Typically under 18, though serious offenses may be transferred to adult court.
- Shorter Commitments: Commitments are generally shorter and reviewed regularly for progress.
- Family Involvement: Parents and guardians are expected to be involved in hearings and programming.
Types of Juvenile Facilities in Iowa
- Juvenile Detention Centers (JDC): Short-term secure facilities for youth awaiting court hearings or placement decisions.
- Youth Correctional Facilities: Long-term secure facilities with comprehensive educational, vocational, and therapeutic programming.
- Residential Treatment Centers: Intensive mental health, substance abuse, or behavioral treatment in residential settings.
- Group Homes: Less restrictive placements where youth live in supervised community settings.
- Wilderness/Boot Camp Programs: Outdoor therapeutic or structured physical challenge programs.
- Transition Facilities: Facilities for youth nearing the end of commitment transitioning back to community.
How to Use This Directory
- Browse the full directory of all juvenile facilities in Iowa by scrolling below.
- Filter by county using the dropdown to narrow results to a specific region.
- Switch states using the state selector to load juvenile facilities in any other US state.
- Click any facility to open its dedicated page with contact details and visitation information.
- Contact the facility directly for the most current information about a young person in their care.
Finding a Young Person in a Juvenile Facility
Locating a minor in a juvenile facility can be more complex than finding an adult because juvenile records are protected by confidentiality laws. However, parents and legal guardians have the right to know where their child is being held. Browse the directory to find the juvenile facility in the area where the young person was arrested, then contact the facility directly. You can also use our free US inmate locator tool to search across facilities.
Visiting a Juvenile Facility
Maintaining family connections is crucial for rehabilitation. Most facilities encourage family visits and offer family therapy sessions. Parents and legal guardians typically have priority visitation rights. Click any facility to view specific visitation guidelines.
Communicating With Youth
Most facilities offer phone access, mail, and sometimes email or video communication. Phone calls are outbound only to pre-approved numbers. Read our calling guide for setup instructions.
Legal Rights & Representation
Every young person has the right to legal representation, to be informed of charges, to a hearing before a judge, and to appeal decisions. Securing qualified legal representation early is one of the most important steps parents can take.
Programs & Education
Most facilities offer mandatory education (GED and grade-level schooling), vocational training, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, life skills development, and family engagement programs.
Sending Money
Many facilities allow family members to deposit funds into a young person's account for commissary purchases — hygiene products, snacks, stationery, and sometimes phone credits. Accepted deposit methods vary by facility.
Release & Reentry
Release is the beginning of a critical transition period requiring careful planning. Young people face challenges including school reintegration, community supervision requirements, rebuilding peer relationships, and managing the stigma of a record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Juvenile Facilities by County in Iowa
View facilities organized by county
Filter Juvenile Facilities by County
Iowa has Juvenile Facilities spread across dozens of counties, and finding the right one quickly can be challenging without the right tools. Use the county list below to instantly narrow results and view only the Juvenile Facilities in a specific county within Iowa. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to locate someone who was recently arrested in a specific area, or if you are planning a visit and need to find the closest facility to your location.
All Juvenile Facilities in Iowa
Complete listing of juvenile facilities
Browse the Complete List of Juvenile Detention Facilities in Iowa
The full directory of juvenile detention and youth correctional facilities in Iowa is displayed below. Every active facility within Iowa's juvenile justice system is included. Each entry includes the facility name, location, county, facility type, and contact information. Juvenile facilities house minors — individuals under 18, or up to 21 depending on state law — who have been detained, adjudicated, or committed through the juvenile court system.
| Facility Name | County | Action |
|---|---|---|
|
North Iowa Juvenile Detention
1440 West Dunkerton Road, Waterloo, IA 50703-9648
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Black Hawk|howard|chichasaw|buchanan|delaware|dubuque|clayton|fa | View Details |
|
Clarke County IA Juvenile Detention Center
100 South Fillmore St, Osceola, IA 50213
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Clarke | View Details |
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Dubuque County Juvenile Detention Center
350 West 6th St, Dubuque, IA 52001
|
Dubuque | View Details |
|
Forest Ridge Youth & Family Resources Services
PO Box 515, Estherville, IA 51334
|
Emmet | View Details |
|
Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center (CIJDC)
2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627
|
Hardin | View Details |
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South Iowa Area Detention Service Agency
2528 255th St, Montrose, IA 52639
|
Lee | View Details |
|
Linn County IA Juvenile Detention Center
800 Walford Rd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
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Linn | View Details |
|
South Iowa Juvenile Detention - Appanoose
220 Northwestern Ave, Chariton, IA 50049
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Lucas | View Details |
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Northwest Iowa YES Center
1251 West Cedar Loop, Cherokee, IA 51012
|
Lyon|oscelopa|dickinson|emmet|sioux|o'brien|clay|cherokee|woodbu | View Details |
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Polk County IA Juvenile Detention Center
1548 Hull Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316-1397
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Polk | View Details |
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Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Center
629 6th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
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Pottawattamie | View Details |
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Scott County IA Juvenile Detention Center
500 West 4th St, Davenport, IA 52801-1106
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Scott | View Details |
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Woodbury County Juvenile Detention Center
822 Douglas - 4th Floor, Sioux City, IA 51101
|
Woodbury | View Details |
Juvenile Facilities in Other States
Browse juvenile facilities in other states
Explore Juvenile Facilities in Other States
Looking for juvenile facilities beyond Iowa? We've got you covered. Use the state selectors below to instantly switch to a full directory of juvenile facilities in any other US state. Whether you need to look up facilities in a neighboring state or search across the country, our nationwide directory makes it simple to find the information you need in just a few clicks.