How to Visit Broward County Detention Center (FL)

For detained youth, approved visitors include parents, grandparents, and legal guardians. If you don't fall into one of those categories, you won't be allowed to visit unless a court order permits it or the Superintendent (or their designee) gives specific approval. Need to add someone to the visitation list or set up a special visit? Start by contacting the youth's assigned Juvenile Probation Officer. They handle approvals for visitation list additions and special visitation arrangements.

Bring a valid photo ID. Without one, you can be turned away at the entrance. Once inside, you'll need to sign in and sign out on the youth's Visitor's Log. Don't skip the sign-out step when you leave.

Your visit can be cut short if you or the youth become disruptive or fail to follow facility rules. A terminated visit may also lead to future visitation being suspended at the Superintendent's discretion.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Confirm you are an approved visitor (parent, grandparent, or legal guardian). If not, get a court order or Superintendent/designee approval before you go.
• ✓ Bring proper government photo identification so you are not denied entry.
• ✓ Be ready for an electronic search, and cooperate. Refusing a search can result in being turned away.
• ✓ Leave personal items out of the secure area (including keys, purses, and packages).
• ✓ Sign in on the youth’s Visitor’s Log when you enter, and sign out when you leave.
• ✓ Follow staff instructions and facility rules during the visit. Disruptive or non-compliant behavior can end the visit and affect future visiting privileges.

1. Contact the youth’s assigned Juvenile Probation Officer - ask to approve an addition to the visitation list or a special visitation arrangement.
2. Get the required authorization in writing - if you are not a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian, you will need either a court order or specific approval from the Superintendent or designee before visiting.

Before making the trip, confirm you're cleared to visit as a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian. If you're a legal guardian, ask what documentation the facility expects. Trying to visit as someone outside those categories? Verify exactly what approval you need (court order vs. Superintendent/designee approval) and whether the Juvenile Probation Officer has to sign off before you show up.

Ask what the electronic search process involves and what specifically will get a visitor denied entry for refusal. Also confirm the current list of prohibited items and find out how the facility handles personal items you accidentally bring to the entrance. Keep the stakes in mind: introducing unauthorized items into a detention facility is a third-degree felony.

If a visit gets terminated for disruptive or non-compliant behavior, ask how it's documented and how long any suspension of future visits can last. It's also worth asking whether there's a review process and if the Superintendent is the one who decides when visitation privileges get reinstated.