Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center

LawForKids.org staff were invited to tour the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center to show what life is like for a juvenile in care. The tour provides pictures and information to learn more about the facility and its programming. If you are a visitor, enter through the front white/glass doors and proceed to the front desk. Youth who will stay at the facility are brought to the side driveway entrance.

Situated in Yuma, Arizona, the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center has a total of 66 beds, although staffing typically accommodates a maximum of 40 youths. The average duration of stay stands at 19 days; however, youth waiting to be tried in an adult court can stay a year or more. The Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center (Center) is the temporary placement of youth accused of a delinquent act, while awaiting the outcome of their case in court. The purpose of the Center is to house youth who, by virtue of their alleged offenses or documented prior histories, pose a serious public safety or flight risk.

This center is used only when necessary for youth who:

• 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 Yuma 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.