ANA GARNICA

Director

A.GARNICA@epcountytx.gov

Detention

The Juvenile Detention Center is a short term pre-adjudication facility that provides a safe, caring and secure environment for male and female youth between the ages of 10-17 who are court-ordered detained pending release or out of home placement.

The Center is open 24 hours a day, year long. It has a population capacity of 62 youth, a medium sized facility in the State of Texas. The Detention Officers maintain order and daily operations of the facility and are responsible for the care, custody and control of the youth in our custody in accordance with standards set by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. We are responsible for the admissions and release of youth referred to us by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. We prevent disturbances, assaults and escapes by supervising activities and educational services. We have the responsibility to protect the public, protect fellow officers, support staff and our youth from harm. Officer’s serve as mentors and role models as well as disciplinarians and rule enforcers. Officers assist in transportation responsibilities that may include transfers to other facilities, medical appointments, court appearances and other required locations. Officers demonstrate concern and empathy for the youth detained.

Programs

Programming in Detention is structured and intended to provide for the safe and secure confinement of the youth detained while addressing their physical, emotional and educational needs. Educational services and structured recreational activities are provided by the Delta Academy through the El Paso Independent School District.

Education Program

Follows the EPISD public school schedule. Enables the youth to maintain academic level in a public school by continuing their work while in detention.

Library Services

Books, magazines and other reading materials are available to youth in the facility.

Foster Grandparent Program

Senior citizens volunteer their time to come into detention and interact with the youths.

HIV/AIDS Education

Health care awareness, education and testing of youth on the risk of sexual activity, drug use, and other activities that could lead to becoming HIV positive and contracting AIDS.

Art & Crafts

Expand the youths’ range and means of self-expression and to express their sense of personal identity and worth.

Religious Programming

Every reasonable effort is made to facilitate the practice of the youth's religion and they have access to publications of their respective faiths.

Health/Hygiene Education Program

Instruction on various health and hygiene topics and personal cleanliness, proper dental care, foot care, proper diet, weight control, etc. and are conducted on a weekly basis.

Medical and Health Care Services

Nursing and pediatric services are provided through a contract with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Dental Care Services

Youth are transported to Rawlings Dental Clinic and are provided with dental exams, cleaning, molar sealant, and any other dental services needed such as filling cavities.

Clinical Mental Health Services

Services provided through the Clinical Unit of the Juvenile Justice Center. They provide support and crisis services for any detained youth with suicidal ideations or mental health issues as necessary.

Texas Tech Fellowship

Psychiatric testing and services provided by Texas Tech Health Science Center.

Communication Policies

Having a child detained and experiencing a loss of regular contact can be extremely stressful. The following information is provided to assist in maintaining communication with your child and to clarify general facility rules. For further questions or additional information, contact Detention at 915-273-3491 ext. 2080.

Visitation Rules
Residents are allowed a 30-minute visit every 7 calendar days.
Residents may earn 45 minutes after 2 weeks of good behavior and 60 minutes after 4 weeks.

  1. Visitation is generally limited to parents, guardians, and attorneys. Attorneys may visit from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Other visitors require written approval from the Director or Unit Manager of Detention. To visit outside regular hours, you must obtain prior approval from the Unit Manager or Director. Probation officers cannot approve visits.
  2. When a resident is placed in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or sent to an out-of-town facility, visitation may be permitted for immediate family members, such as siblings and grandparents. This is contingent upon receiving clearance and approval from either the Unit Manager or the Director of Detention.
  3. All visitors must present a valid government identification. Only authorized individuals may enter the building; others must wait outside. No exceptions will be made. Unattended children will not be allowed to wait on the facilities premises.
  4. If any issues arise during the visit that could jeopardize the child’s safety or the security of the facility, the Shift Supervisor on duty has the authority to end the visit. Visitors who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be prohibited from meeting with the detainee. In the event that a visit is denied, the parents will be promptly informed via email or phone call, as recorded in JMIS. Residents who were involved in a physical altercation or disruptive behavior during the week will receive only a 30-minute visit.
  5. Visitors may not bring food or drinks into the visitation area. Smoking and tobacco products are strictly prohibited anywhere on the premises.
  6. Visitors may not give any items to residents during visits. This includes contraband such as weapons and drugs. Anyone attempting to pass illegal items will lose visitation rights and face legal prosecution. The following items are also strictly prohibited: food (including candy), gum, drinks, letters, notes, pictures, cards, magazines, and other restricted items.
  7. Items that can be brought into Detention include prescribed medications, prescribed glasses, and clothing for the juvenile's departure. If the nurse recommends any additional items, such as over-the-counter medications, lip balm, lotions, or hair products, these must be approved by the Unit Manager or the Director of Detention before they can be brought in.
  8. Visitors may not bring purses, packages, or bags into the facility. Large coats or sweaters must be placed in the designated visitor locker area. Packages, purses, cell phones, smart watches, smart glasses and smart devices capable of taking photos or recording must be stored in lockers. Locker keys must be returned to Central Control before leaving. All visitors and their belongings are subject to search.
  9. Parents and guardians may use the bathroom and water fountain in the visitation area with assistance from Detention Officers. Residents are not permitted to use these facilities. During visitation, residents must remain seated and may not stand, walk around, or look out the windows.
  10. If a resident is married and their spouse wishes to visit, a marriage certificate must be provided. The visit will be arranged only after approval from the Director or Unit Manager of Detention.
  11. All parents must follow the dress code during visitations. Caps are not permitted. Parents wearing inappropriate clothing, such as revealing or form-fitting attire, will be asked to change or return at a later time. Examples include transparent shirts, low-cut blouses, very short shorts, or clothing with gang-affiliated images.
  12. If a resident has children, visits must be approved by the probation officer familiar with the family's background. Facility supervisors will arrange the visit. If the child's mother is on probation, she may not visit the resident. However, the child may visit with the resident’s parents or guardian.

Regular Visitation Schedule

NOTE: Through the COVID-19 pandemic, contact visitations have been suspended. Efforts will be made to provide for Virtual Visitations as the technology become available. Please contact your child’s probation officer or a Detention supervisor for updates to this procedure.

Monday thru Friday. 5 pm to 8 pm.

Phone Calls

  1. Residents will be allowed a 5-minute weekly telephone call. Phone call days will be determined by the housing unit the resident is assigned. Calls are limited to parents or legal guardians.
  2. Residents will be allowed to call their attorney during reasonable office hours, usually between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Incoming calls will not be accepted for residents unless authorized by the Unit Manager or Director.
  3. A Juvenile Supervision Officer will dial all calls, based on numbers provided by the probation officer. The officer will ensure that the party called is on the phone before giving the phone to the youth. All calls are documented to ensure the resident's safety. During phone calls, excessive profanity is not allowed, discussing their case, or three-way calling is prohibited. An officer will let the resident know how much time remains to terminate the call.

Mail Privileges

  1. Residents are encouraged to write letters while detained. They are provided with writing materials and postage for at least 2 letters per week on assigned mail-writing days.
  2. Residents are not limited to writing materials or postage for legal correspondence.
  3. Residents may send and receive mail from approved guardians/parents, except for youth in another residential facility or the Texas Department of Corrections, or if the recipient is restricted by the Juvenile Court. Any prohibited mail will be returned to the sender.
  4. All outgoing and incoming mail will be logged in and recorded as to the sender and receiver of the mail.
  5. Mail can be opened if there is probable cause to believe it contains contraband or may be part of a plan that threatens the facility's security.
  6. Mail is scanned for the following taggings, nicknames, and gang affiliations (only the government name must appear on the letter). Any Instagram, Facebook, or inappropriate drawing or excessive cursing in the letter will not be given to the youth and returned.

Medical

  1. Residents have the right to sick call daily, and certified nurses are available. Nurses are present during any sickness or injury.
  2. A Doctor attends the facility twice a week, and residents are allowed to speak to the doctor if they wish and have concerns.
  3. Our Juvenile Supervision Officers (JSO) are certified to dispense over-the-counter (OTC) medication when necessary and approved, based on each resident's medical history.
  4. Residents are placed on a medical profile under the guidance of a professional to prevent further injury or any illness that can be spread to others. This is medical confinement and will be closely monitored by staff and medical personnel.

Mailing Address

PLEASE INCLUDE THE "NAME OF YOUTH"
JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER
6400 DELTA DRIVE
EL PASO, TX 79905-4408

Personal Property

Any property left behind in detention over thirty days after a resident has been released will be forfeited and become property of the Juvenile Probation Department. It is the responsibility of the youth and the parents to ensure that all property is released as the department will not give notification of property left behind.

Questions

All question may be directed to:
Ana Garnica, Director (AGarnica@epcounty.com)
915-273-3491 ext: 2080