Juvenile Detention Center

 Sgt. Steve White, Administrator

662/680-6017

   

The Lee County-Tupelo Juvenile Detention Center opened on February 26, 2001.  The facility can securely house twenty-two juveniles under the authority of a youth court judge or his/her designee.  The center also serves seven other counties and the Choctaw Indian Nation.

The Lee County Sheriff's Department employs an administrator to oversee the daily operations of the detention center, a juvenile investigator, an administrative assistant, a nurse, an education coordinator and twenty-two juvenile detention officers.

Vision Statement:  We value each child's potential to lead successful and productive lives.  Our vision is to teach children to value family and community and through coordinated efforts, assist each child in experiencing success in life by making the appropriate choices.  We assume this responsibility through an understanding that our actions affect children today and will determine the quality of our tomorrow.

Mission Statement:  The mission of juvenile correction and detention system is to provide leadership for change for youth, family units and communities.  Accountability is a vital component and each child will be provided with legitimate, alternative pathways to adulthood with equal access.  Public safety is a principal concern in all of our practices and policies as well as the safety and welfare of each juvenile in our care.  We operate with professionalism, competence and honesty in the performance of our duties as juvenile detention officers.

Learning Center:  Educational services are provided to the juveniles during their stay.  After the juveniles have had a court date and the determination has been made that the juveniles will remain at the center, the education coordinator communicates with the respective schools, obtaining books and assignments.  Provisions are also made for juveniles studying for the G.E.D. and for home-schooled juveniles.  In addition to regular school assignments, the juveniles work at computer stations using the OdysseyWare educational software, have character education classes and work on art projects.  The juveniles work in the Learning Center Monday - Friday, 9am - 12noon and from 1pm to 3pm.

Telephone and Mail:  Juveniles are allowed to make reasonable phone calls to their legal representatives, youth counselors, parents and/or legal guardians.  Staff of the detention center will not take phone messages for any juvenile.  Juveniles are allowed to make collect calls only.  No phone cards are allowed.  Juveniles may send and receive mail while detained at the facility.  To send mail to a juvenile:    Juvenile's Name, Lee Co.-Tupelo Juvenile Detention Center, 454 North Commerce Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.

Visitations:  Visitation at the center is held three days per week - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  To accommodate working visitors, provisions have been made to offer visitation hours during the day, evening and weekends.  Juveniles are allowed two visits per week by the parents/legal guardians.  Visitation appointments must be made 24-hours in advance by calling or coming by the facility.

Religious Services:  Ministers of different denominations who have been approved by the administrator come at various times during the week and on weekends.  The juveniles decide if they want to talk with the ministers.

Release Arrangements:  The youth court judge or his/her designees provides the authorization to detain or release a juvenile from the facility.  The detention center staff does not make decisions regarding the length of time a juvenile is detained nor released.

Prescription Medication:  Prescription medication must be brought to the facility in the original prescription bottle.  Parents must understand that the staff may not administer any medication that is not clearly labeled with exact dosages and dosage times.  Any handwritten notations on medication bottles are not considered an official authorization.  Unidentified medication or a prescription containing more than one type capsule/tablet will not be given until properly identified by medical authority.

Medical & Dental:  Juveniles are provided medical or dental attention as deemed necessary by the administrator or the shift sergeant.  In house medical and dental professionals serve the juveniles, and if needed, juveniles are transported to the Health Department or North Mississippi Medical Center Emergency Room.

Juvenile Arrests:

Contacts:

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