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Juvenile Services – Inspiring Hope for the Future

Detention’s Outdoor Rec Area Gets a Makeover

Ada County’s juvenile detention facility was first built in the mid-70s.  More recent additions have been constructed with modern correctional design, but older parts of the building lack natural light and the current outdoor recreation space is cramped, cage-like and not conducive to sports and other activities. The ceiling of the existing structure is low – certainly not high enough for basketball – and the narrow walkway to the green space is a security concern.

Several years ago, Ada County Commissioners directed us to explore ways to make the green space outside more usable. When Ada County received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for certain categories of projects including improvements to jails and detention centers, the recreation space was identified as a top priority.

The new recreation space will provide safe, secure, multi-season opportunities for outdoor recreation to benefit the physical and mental health of youth and staff. It has a large playing court with regulation-height basketball hoops and an easily accessible green space.  Overhead screens keep the space open and airy while protecting the privacy of youth and staff from new housing developments being built on adjacent property.

We break ground on Monday, October 30th!

A BIG thank you to the Idaho Commission for Libraries for their generous book donation!  Youth in detention, probation or diversion can pick a book to read right away or take it home for their library. The chance to select a new book has been a great incentive for some youth who are struggling to meet their goals.

As part of an All Hands meeting held in October 2023, we asked employees to tell us what they are most proud of about the work we do.  We were impressed with the thoughtful, caring responses. You can see from the word cloud that our employees are motivated to help youth and families, providing resources to support positive change and opportunities for them to have a better future.

I am proud that we…

  • help youth and their families when circumstances are possibly at their lowest. – Clinician
  • create a safe, positive and clean environment for the kids. – Detention Officer
  • get to be present for youth and show them that they are capable of great things. – Probation Officer
  • help kids get on the right track. – Probation Officer

Proud of the work we do!

Probation logo

400 N Benjamin Suite 103
Boise, ID 83704
Phone: 208-287-5750
Fax: 208-287-5749

Programs logo

400 N Benjamin Suite 201
Boise, ID 83704
Phone: 208-287-5600
Fax: 208-287-5609

Detention Logo

6300 W Denton St
Boise, ID 83704
Phone: 208-577-4948
Fax: 208-577-4959