Youth in Detention

Get details about juvenile intake and assessment, along with visiting information and what you can expect when your child is in detention.

On this page

  1. Detention services: Placement intake
  2. Programs offered to youth placed in detention
  3. School in detention
  4. Safety and security
  5. Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
  6. Visiting youth in detention
  7. Courtyard Cafe

Looking for information about visiting youth in detention?

Detention services: Placement intake

The decision to detain a youth is a critical one that requires a rigorous analysis of many factors. Juveniles may be held because of the seriousness of their offense, a history of criminal offenses, the juvenile is a threat to others, or to ensure that the juvenile returns to court.

Detained youth are ones whose offenses are so serious that release would endanger public safety or the welfare of the child.

Programs offered to youth placed in detention

While detained at the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Home (JDH), juveniles are supported through programs that offer spiritual support, health care, peer support groups, library services and recreation.

The LSWP (Local School Wellness Policy) is a joint program for school physical activity and nutrition. 

School in detention

At the Donald E. Long School, the Multnomah Education Service District supports our local school districts by providing a meaningful education in a positive climate, to the children of our communities, in an effort to provide them with skills necessary to avoid return to incarceration.

Safety and security

Security measures at the Donald E. Long facility include 24/7 monitoring of all areas of the building, high staff-to-youth ratios, escorts for youth en route to new locations, hourly inspections, and structured daily routines.

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

PREA is a federal law that mandates standards for prevention, intervention and prosecution of sexual assault and sexual harassment within prisons, jails, and detention centers.

DCJ has ZERO TOLERANCE for sexual abuse or harassment.

You can report PREA abuse and harassment in these ways:*

  • Notify a Juvenile Services staff member (they are required to generate an incident report and conduct an investigation): 503-988-3460
  • Ask a Juvenile Services staff for a Grievance Form to fill out
  • Call the DHS Abuse Hotline: 1-855-503-SAFE (7233) toll free

* Retaliation for making a report is prohibited and should be reported to a Supervisor

Visiting youth in detention

Multnomah County juveniles are held in detention at the following location:

Donald E. Long Detention Center
1401 NE 68th Ave
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 988-3460

To schedule an in-person or virtual visit, call (503)-988-5624. 

Visiting days/times:

  • 30-min time slots are offered 7 days a week:
    • 9:00am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 5:00pm
    • Evening time slots: Monday through Thursday 6:30pm to 8:00
  • Mail: All letters must be routed through the us postal service (youth name - delh, 1401 NE 68th, Portland, OR 97213).
  • Medications: Must be prescribed for the youth, in the prescription bottle and handed directly to the on-duty. Nurse or on-duty detention services manager.
  • Personal property: Youth receive a receipt when admitted. Anything released requires both the youth’s and the receiver’s signature. Money can only be released with the permission of the JCC/PPO. Detention managers may release any other property. *delivery of court clothing must be checked-in by detention staff.
  • Photos: Up to five (5) photos may be brought to youth during visits for them to take to their room.

Multnomah Co. Juvenile Dept
Donald E. Long (DELH)
1401 NE 68th Ave
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 988-3460

Courtyard Cafe

The Courtyard Cafe is a nationally recognized program committed to providing healthy, high quality fresh and local, yet cost effective food to youth detained at the Donald E. Long Detention Facility.

Last reviewed February 19, 2026

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