Who Can Visit a Youth at Broward County Detention Center — and How to Add People to the Visitation List
Visiting a youth in detention is encouraged, but who can visit—and how to get someone approved—depends on the visitor's relationship to the youth and the type of visit you're requesting.
Parents, grandparents, and legal guardians are automatically approved to visit youth at Broward County Detention Center. If you fall into one of those categories, you're already on the approved side of the process.
No matter who you are, every visit includes a basic accountability step: you’ll be required to sign in and sign out on the youth’s Visitor’s Log at the facility.
Not a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian? Visiting isn't automatic. Other visitors can only get in through one of two paths: a court order or specific approval from the Superintendent (or their designee). This applies even if you know the youth well - so figure out which route you need before making plans.
- Identify the youth’s assigned Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) - this is the person you’ll work through for visitation list changes and special arrangements.
- Request the specific change you need - ask the JPO to approve an addition to the visitation list, or to approve a special visitation arrangement.
- Wait for approval before you plan the visit - the JPO is the approval point for these requests, so don’t assume someone can visit until that approval is in place.
Some visits fall outside regular family visitation entirely. Legal counsel, probation officers, law enforcement, clergy, and other professionals may visit a youth outside established visitation hours when necessary. These visits still require signing in and following the facility's contraband rules.
- ✓ Sign in and sign out on the youth’s Visitor’s Log.
- ✓ Expect an electronic search - every visitor is subject to it.
- ✓ Don’t bring personal items into the secure area (for example: keys, purses, packages).
- ✓ Don’t try to introduce anything unauthorized - bringing unauthorized items into a detention facility is classified as a third-degree felony.
- ✓ Entry can be denied if you’re disruptive or uncooperative, refuse to be searched, refuse officer instructions, appear under the influence of an intoxicating substance, fail to present proper photo ID, attempt to introduce contraband, or wear attire that’s considered inappropriate under the facility’s posted procedures.
For anything related to the youth's case - adding someone to the visitation list or arranging a special visit - start with the youth's assigned Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO). For facility-specific questions about professional visits, like sign-in procedures or contraband rules, contact facility administration (the Superintendent or designee).
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