Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center

The mission of the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center is to provide a safe and restrictive environment for juveniles requiring secure residential detention and to insure that those detained will be available for scheduled court hearings.

The youth's medical, dental and mental health needs will be handled as necessary on an emergency or immediate care basis. The detention program shall facilitate a continuum of care by providing necessary referrals for follow-up services.

In 1986 the Florida Parishes Juvenile Justice District was established by R.S. 15:1094, an Act of the Louisiana Legislature, as a political subdivision of the state with territorial jurisdiction throughout the 21st and 22nd Judicial Districts, including the parishes of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington.

La. R.S. 15:1094.1 created the Florida Parishes Juvenile Justice Commission, which is composed of seven commissioners who develop, administer and manage the affairs of the the district. It's members serve without salary or per diem and meet once per month in the conference room of the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center.

The Center was first occupied in October, 1992 by the superintendent and two staff members. Lack of funding from the state delayed the opening of the center for over a year. The center officially opened with 31 beds on January 3, 1994 and accepted the first juvenile on January 18, 1994.

The facility operates according to the mandates o