The West Central Juvenile Detention Center is located in the Miami County Government Complex. It is about 2 miles south of exit #78 off of I-75. Administrative hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is a 44-bed facility that serves seven counties in West Central Ohio, including Auglaize, Clinton, Darke, Mercer, Preble, and Shelby Counties.
 The Juvenile Detention Center first opened January 1, 1993. The facility operated with 24 single cell rooms with 2 holding cells. After about 2 years the population outgrew the existing facility. By using portable beds and working additional security staff the overcrowding was handled. With the support of the neighboring counties, a new pod with 20 more individual cells, an additional classroom and several offices were added. The building expansion was completed in May 1999.
This facility's daily operation is based on a semi-military model. It encourages self-discipline, responsibility, self-respect, respect of others and proper decision-making skills.
 Youth that are detained here are not permitted to have any of their own personal belongings. The detention center provides all of their clothing and personal hygiene needs as well as their meals each day. Each resident does need to have a pair of tennis shoes for gym class. Residents get to make an initial phone call when they first get here. After that, any phone call privileges are earned and the calls are all collect. The average length of stay is from seven to eleven days. With rigorous programming we have reduced the recidivism rate from a high of 63% to as low as 42%.
Parents and guardians may visit by appointment only on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. These visits are 20 minutes long and must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. Parents and guardians wishing to visit must bring a picture ID with them. Visitors are asked to arrive a couple of minutes early to be able to sign in and secure any personal belongings before entering the secure area. This is a smoke free building.
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