How to Visit Missoula Detention Facility, MT (MT)

When a youth is newly processed at Missoula County Juvenile Detention Facility, they spend the first 24 hours in isolation while staff decide on placement (general population or continued isolation). This first-day window matters because it directly affects when you can visit in person.

During that initial 24-hour isolation period, the youth can only make one phone call. Visits with parents or guardians are not allowed until the following day. If you go to the facility right after intake, you will likely be turned away, even as a parent or guardian.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Plan for a 24-hour isolation period after a youth is newly processed, while placement is determined.
• ✓ Expect only an initial phone call during that first 24 hours.
• ✓ Do not expect a parent or guardian visit to be available until the following day.

• ✓ If you may need an ADA accommodation, contact the department’s ADA coordinator at (406) 841-2982 at least 48 hours ahead, and ask whether this process applies to visits at Missoula Detention Facility.

Before making the trip, call ahead to confirm the 24-hour intake isolation practice is still in effect. Ask how it impacts visitation timing for parents and guardians, whether the youth can only make an initial phone call during that period, and whether any exceptions exist for urgent situations. A quick call can save you from showing up on a day when visits are not yet available.

1. Call the ADA coordinator at (406) 841-2982. Explain what accommodation you need.
2. Ask if the ADA request process applies to detention facility visits. The published guidance is for department programs or events, so get a clear yes or the correct contact.
3. Confirm the lead time required. Requests are generally made at least 48 hours before the scheduled event, and you should verify what timeline is expected for a visit-related accommodation.