Maricopa Juvenile Detention Center

LawForKids.org staff were graciously invited to tour the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center, to get a glimpse into the daily life of youth in their care. This virtual tour provides pictures and information to learn more about the facility and its programming. 

If you are a visitor, enter through the front glass doors and proceed to the front desk. Youth who will stay at the facility are brought to the side driveway entrance for intake.

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center has the capacity to house up to 192 youth. 

The Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center is the temporary placement of a youth accused of a delinquent act, while awaiting the outcome of their case in court. The purpose of the center is housing youths deemed to pose significant public safety or flight risks, based on their alleged offenses or prior documented histories.

The juvenile detention center is only used, when necessary, for those youth that:

• Pose community safety issues if released before their appointed court date.
• May fail to show up for their appointed court date.
• May re-offend or get re-arrested if released before their appointed court date.
• Do not have a place to go while waiting for their court date.

*The content for this tour was reviewed and approved by Maricopa County Justice Center staff in the summer of 2025. Any updates or changes to the facility after this time may not be captured in this narrative/virtual tour. Please call the facility directly for any updates or clarifications.