Franklin County Juvenile Detention Facility (FCJDF) is a 132-bed facility, which houses 96 males and 36 females.  The facility does not have youth in a dormitory area, but each youth has their own room.  The FCJDF provides all hygiene, clothing, food and educational needs of youth detained.  FCJDF is under the auspice of five (5) Judges for Domestic and Juvenile Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the visiting days and time?

Visiting hours:

In order to provide increased security, order and control, the practice of general/open visitation will cease as of Sunday, June 19. The facility will move to the practice of visitation by appointment only. Designated time slots will be available on specific days. Parents/Guardians will be able to visit only by prearranged appointment. Walk-in visitation is prohibited.

Youth will be trained on this new policy by programming staff beginning the week of June 6th. Appointment only visitation will begin on June 22nd.

Visiting will be scheduled in half-hour blocks. A maximum of four (4) visits will be allowed per time slot. Visits will be conducted on Wednesdays, Saturday, and Sundays by appointment only. Wednesday appointments must be set by Tuesday at noon. Saturday and Sunday appointments must be set by Friday at noon. There will be a maximum of four visits per time frame offered. Visits will be made via calling Administration at 525-4292/4490 and specify you are calling to arrange visitation (this will make the process go faster and connect you to scheduling personnel). The dates and times are listed below:

Visitation will be on a first come, first serve basis. Parents may sign up for one visitation time on Wednesday and one time either Saturday or Sunday. These changes are consistent with the recommendations of the Ohio Administrative Code, 5139-37-19, which states that at a minimum, three assigned visitation periods per week be offered with at least one period scheduled for evenings and on the weekend. Our new schedule offers 24 options. THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS POSTED THAT GOVERN THE VISITATION SESSIONS.

2. Who can come to visitation?

Parents and guardians are the only people authorized to visit while youth is detained.  

3. If you are not a parent or guardian, can you visit?

There are exceptions to this rule:  1.  Other family members beside parent/guardian can visit if youth is on a Level 3 or Level 4.  The levels are based on youth’s behavior while detained in the facility.  Contact youth’s administrator to ascertain if youth has obtained a level.  Lawyers, counselors, and assessment agencies are authorized to visit the youth.   Any one other than parent/guardian who desires to visit a youth must obtain a court order.

4. Can I drop my child off at detention to teach them a lesson?

No, the Detention Facility holds only pre-adjudicated youth that requires the most restrictive environment to ensure:

5.   Can I bring my child to the facility for a tour?

Due to safety and security issues, tours are not conducted.  

6.   Do youth attend school while detained?

Yes, unless graduated.  If youth has not graduated, Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) follows school calendar of Columbus Public Schools. Certified Columbus Public School teachers are assigned to the JDF.

7.   Can I bring special schoolwork to my child?

Yes, special schoolwork can be submitted to your child while he or she is detained.  Contact Program Administrator, who will explain the process.  Telephone number 525-4834. 

8.   Can I obtain copies of school records?

Yes, by contacting the Columbus Public Schools, Special Education Department.  The contact number is 365-5225.  School records are not kept at the JDF once the youth has been released from the facility.

9.   How are youth’s medical needs meet while detained?

JDF has a contract with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, through Pediatric Academic Association (PAA).  PAA is on site providing medical, nursing and doctor services.

 10.   What if child has pre-arranged appointment for medical/dental care?

Parents and/or Guardians need to provide information to medical department, at which time medical staff will verify, the appointment.  Once verification has been received, security manager for JDF will make arrangements for youth to be transported to and from the appointment.   

 11.   Can I bring food or money to my child?

No.  All meals are provided for youth.  Detained youth do not need money.

 12.   Can my child receive mail?

Yes, youth can receive mail while detained.  All mail must go through United Postal Service and cannot be delivered by hand or dropped off at the facility.  All mail addressed to a youth who has been transferred or released will be forwarded.  If no forwarding address is available, the mail shall be returned to sender.  If mail is returned from the forwarding address, or there is no sender/addressee, the mail shall be discarded.

Mail is not read but will be screened for contraband items. Pictures, money, gang and drug symbols or writing is prohibited.  If you have questions about what is acceptable, contact JDF Administrative Office at 525-4490.

 13.   Can a youth turn themselves in if a warrant has been issued? 

Yes, between normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, at 399 S. Front, at the prosecutor’s office. After normal business hours come to the lobby at 399 S. Front Street and use phone in lobby.  Call extension 4168 and a staff will attend the youth.

 14.   How do I obtain my personal items, i.e. keys if youth has been arrested?

One must obtain a Court order to release items.  Court order must specify what items to be released and to whom.  Upon arrival to collect items claimant must have valid ID.

 15.   Who should I contact if I have a compliant?

During normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, contact Asst. Superintendent at 525-4293 or Superintendent at 525-4291.  After normal business hours, contact Receiving and Release Supervisor on duty at 525-4350.

 16.   Will youth be allowed to make phone calls?

Yes, youth are allowed to make phone calls.  Upon admission youth is permitted to make two phone calls in order to contact parent, guardian or attorney.  If youth is admitted to the facility, phone calls are conducted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with assistance from JDF staff.  

 17.   How can my child receive a clergy visit?

All clergy visits must go through the Chaplin.  The Chaplin’s number is 525-4277.

 18.   Can teachers, coaches visit youth?

Yes, if court order is obtained.

 19.   Is my child allowed to attend a funeral or hospital regarding a family member?

Yes, if court order is obtained.

 20.   How long will a youth be detained at JDF?

This depends on where the youth is in the judicial process; they could be released within hours of intake or detained as long as the Court deems appropriate.

21.    How do I determine my child’s next court date?

Contact the Franklin County Clerk of Courts at 525-4411.