What Happens During Your Child's First 24 Hours at Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center
The first day in detention is usually a blur for families. Here's what happens during your child's first 24 hours at Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center—from the initial health screening to the daily routine that follows.
Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center is a 30-bed, hardware-secure facility. "Hardware-secure" means it's designed for secure detention - youth are held in a controlled setting while their case moves through court.
Within the first 24 hours, your child will receive an initial health screening. This is one of the first major steps. Staff use it to identify medical needs, mental health concerns, and any immediate issues that could affect your child's safety and care while in detention.
Note: If the screening flags medical or mental health needs, services can start quickly. Bay Regional provides medical and mental health care through contracted providers.
If your child needs medical attention or mental health support, Bay Regional provides those services through contracted providers. Care is available while your child is in detention, and the initial screening determines what happens next.
Education continues during detention. Youth attend school and participate in structured educational activities during the day. These services are funded by the Florida Department of Education through local school districts, so schooling stays in place while your child is held.
Typical Day
- ✓ Hygiene time is part of the daily routine.
- ✓ Meals are scheduled as part of the daily routine.
After intake, your child's day will include school and other structured educational activities. This predictable schedule kicks in once the admission process wraps up - helpful for those first disorienting days.
Physical activity is built into each day. Even early in a stay, structured exercise is part of the routine youth follow while in secure detention.
Court appearances can come up quickly. Youth attend hearings as scheduled, so a day might include preparation or movement related to court.
For a sense of timeline: the average stay in secure detention at Bay Regional is approximately 16 days. That's just an average. Your child's actual stay depends on court decisions and case timing.
Visitation eligibility is usually the first question families ask. At DJJ detention facilities, parents, grandparents, and legal guardians are approved visitors. This can help you figure out who in the family should prepare to visit and support your child.
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