Baldwin County Juvenile Detention Center

Officially, this is the Baldwin County Regional Juvenile Detention Center; on our site it appears as the Baldwin County Juvenile Detention Center. Youth are held securely here, at 43405 Nicholsville Road, Bay Minette, AL 36507, just outside the town itself. Reach staff by phone at 251-580-2540, by fax at 251-580-2541, or by email at contactjdc@baldwincountyal.gov. The Baldwin County Commission operates the center, which is separate from the adult county jail.

Has a youth been brought here?

A parent or legal guardian who thinks a child was taken into custody can phone the center at 251-580-2540, or check with the youth's juvenile probation officer. Shortly after a young person arrives, a judge holds a detention hearing and rules on whether the youth remains here or returns home while the case goes on.

Who may bring a youth

Any police agency in Baldwin County can take a young person into custody. That includes sheriff's deputies and city officers from Bay Minette, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, Spanish Fort and other towns. A youth stays here only when the juvenile court allows it. Call the center at 251-580-2540 with questions about a particular child.

What the center does

The center gives short-term, secure care to youth who are charged with, or have been found to have committed, a delinquent act. Youth stay here while they wait for juvenile court or for a move to a longer-term program. Only a juvenile court order can place a youth here, and only a juvenile court officer can order a release. The center opened in June 1992. It serves six southwest Alabama counties: Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh, Clarke, Choctaw and Washington. According to the Alabama Department of Youth Services, there are 30 beds.

No bail

The juvenile system is not like the adult system. There is no bail or bond, so you cannot pay to get a youth out. A judge decides when a youth goes home or moves to a program. Many youth who are committed go to the Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS). The center's handbook explains that DYS placement is based on progress, not on a set number of days. Questions about release should go to the youth's juvenile probation officer or lawyer.

Pick-up orders

Juvenile court files are confidential and stay out of public court searches. A parent who thinks a judge has ordered a child picked up should talk with the child's probation officer or call the Baldwin County Circuit Clerk at 251-937-0280; families from the other five counties should call their own county's circuit clerk. The center itself answers general questions at 251-580-2540. Because a youth can be placed here only by a juvenile court order, check with one of them first instead of bringing a child to Nicholsville Road on your own.

Families facing a hearing can read our overview of how Baldwin County court cases move.

Court

A Baldwin County youth's case stays inside the county's juvenile court system, and the Circuit Clerk's main office is at 312 Courthouse Square in Bay Minette (251-937-0280). A youth from one of the other five counties goes to court back home. Because juvenile files are confidential, they never appear in public court searches. Legal counsel is a right for every young person in the system, and parents may raise the question of a lawyer with the judge at the first hearing. Our court page has courthouse details.

Visiting rules

Visits are by appointment only. To set one up, call 251-580-2540.

• Days: Tuesdays 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
• Only the youth's legal guardian may visit. The probation officer checks this.
• Bring a valid photo ID.
• Leave these in the car: phones, smartwatches, tablets and other electronics, weapons, money, purses or bags, thick jackets or coats, and photos or letters.
• Most youth get a 15-minute non-contact visit. Youth who earn "privileged" status, which can start on their 13th day without trouble, get a 30-minute contact visit.
• Youth on isolation cannot have visits.

Phone calls

Every youth gets one 5-minute call a week to a legal guardian. Youth with privileged status earn one more call each week, up to 15 minutes. Calls happen on set days by housing pod:

• A-Pod: Monday (privileged A-Pod: Friday)
• B-Pod and C-Pod: Wednesday (privileged B and C: Saturday)
• D-Pod: Thursday (privileged D-Pod: Sunday)

Calls go to the legal guardian, which the probation officer checks. Youth may also call outside victim-advocate groups, such as a rape crisis line, at any time.

Mail

Youth may write to and get letters from parents, legal guardians, step-parents and grandparents. The probation officer may limit who can write. Address letters to:
Youth's first and last name
Juvenile Detention Center
43405 Nicholsville Road
Bay Minette, AL 36507

Write your full name and return address on the envelope. Keep letters plain, without stickers, glitter or anything taped on. Call 251-580-2540 before sending anything other than a letter.

School

School does not stop here. The Baldwin County Board of Education runs classes with two teachers, a clerk, a para-professional and a special education teacher. The special education teacher makes sure IEPs and 504 plans are followed. Students use Edgenuity, a self-paced program, so they can pick up where they left off at their home school. When a youth leaves, the clerk sends school records to the home school or DYS program.

Health care

A contracted medical company sends a nurse every day for sick calls and medicine. A doctor and a psychiatrist come when needed. A staff therapist offers private counseling and group sessions. If a youth must go to the hospital, the family is told right away. Youth get three meals and two snacks a day. Special diets are arranged for medical or religious needs.

Behavior and privileges

The center uses a points and privilege system. Good behavior earns privileges, such as longer visits and an extra phone call. Breaking rules can lead to a time-out in the youth's room or a loss of privileges.

Getting there

The center is on Nicholsville Road near Bay Minette, and most families drive. For food on the way, there is fast food in Bay Minette on McMeans Avenue, such as Arby's (620 McMeans Avenue), Burger King (700 McMeans Avenue) and Subway (701 McMeans Avenue).

Helpful contacts

Juvenile Detention Center: 251-580-2540. Baldwin County Circuit Clerk (courts): 251-937-0280. Alabama Department of Youth Services: dys.alabama.gov.

Booking process details at Baldwin County Juvenile Detention Center

When someone is arrested, they are taken to Baldwin County Juvenile Detention Center for booking. This process involves verifying identity, assessing charges, and determining whether the person will be released on bail or detained.

It's crucial to remain silent during this process, as any statements could be used in court. Legal counsel should be consulted before making any comments about the arrest.

The booking process at Baldwin County Juvenile Detention Center typically involves the following steps:

• Identifying the individual.
• Taking a mugshot.
• Health assessments and questions about criminal background.
• DNA collection if applicable.
• Conducting a full-body search.
• Confiscating personal property.
• Allowing a phone call.

For details on posting bond for an arrestee, call the facility at 251-580-2540.