Juvenile Services

Dentention Center

R. J. Holmgreen Brazos County Juvenile Justice Center operates a pre-adjudication, secure detention center. The facility is located at the Juvenile Department's headquarters at 1904 West S.H. 21, Bryan, Texas, 77803.  The facility is equipped and staffed to meet the residents' basic needs, including academic instruction, which is operated by the Bryan Independent School District. Many staff positions function at the detention center: Juvenile Detention Officers, Supervisors, Cooks, General, Secretary, Nurse, Probation Officers, Teachers, Physician, Counselor and Superintendent.

Our Detention Center is a co-ed facility certified by the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to house up to 48 youth who have been arrested by a police agency and charged with a criminal offense, and juveniles alleged to have violated their conditions of probation and are awaiting Juvenile Court processing. Room occupancy includes 44 single rooms 4 isolation beds available for youth requiring room confinement due to behavioral or medical concerns.  The 4 isolation beds are used for regular occupancy as needed.

The fundamental goal of the program is to provide a safe and secure environment for residents and staff, while staff gather valuable information regarding the child's family, school, social, medical, and psychological histories, to aid the Probation Services Division in the disposition of the case. In addition, we provide habilitative programming designed to improve the self-esteem of residents and reduce their chance of recidivism.

Some of these needs include educational assessment and instruction, medical and dental care, life-skills training, drug and alcohol assessment and education, education on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, religious education and spiritual development, physical development though athletic and recreational activities, and activities designed to build and maintain positive self-esteem.

During 2004, the Detention Center admitted 877 youth ages 10 through 16 after law enforcement officers took them into custody following a suspected law violation. The majority (647) of these admissions being between the ages of 14 and 16.

The Brazos County Juvenile Services Department has on staff a Licensed Vocational Nurse who handles any requested services. The nurse is at the center each weekday, and/or as needed, and conducts health appraisals and sick calls on all juveniles detained in the detention center.  During the nurse's visit with each juvenile, many health education topics may also be discussed at the resident's request, including:  AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and any other topic the resident has questions about.  TB testing is conducted as needed.  Emergency services are handled by the St. Joseph’s Hospital.