Dave Goldberg is the Superintendent of the detention center and Cathy Waltz is the Assistant Superintendent.

The McLean County Juvenile Detention Center opened in December of 1993.

The McLean County Juvenile Detention Center is a
modern 26 bed short-term secure facility that houses juveniles (ages 10-16) who have been accused of serious crimes, or who have been sentenced to confinement for a short period of time. The facility offers a year round educational program staffed by two (2) full time, Unit #5 teachers and one (1) full-time teaching assistant. Our daily program also provides recreational activities, mental health assessments and counseling, substance abuse assessments and counseling, health, personal hygiene and life-skills training, and a variety of cultural enriching programs provided by community volunteers.

Our mission is to create and maintain a safe, clean and secure environment and deal with young people in a fair, firm, compassionate and consistent manner. Residents are treated with respect and dignity while reinforcing positive behaviors. Our objectives are to diagnosis needs and provide programs that address the physical, mental and spiritual health of the young people in our care. We work to prepare them for a positive transition back to their homes, or to alternative placement settings.

The facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. We are the only facility in the State of Illinois to maintain dual accreditation. We have also received perfect inspections from the Illinois Department of Corrections for the last five (5) years.

Much of our success is the result of community involvement. We have over 250 people on our current volunteer list. The majority of our volunteers come from the local universities. Volunteers are involved in a variety of areas within the facility. Volunteers may be involved in the following programs:

• Volunteer Visiting: spending ½ hour with a youth that does not ordinarily receive visitors.
• Passive Activities: playing card games, board games, foosball, etc. during free time.
• Recreation: playing basketball, volleyball, wiffleball, etc. during structured physical education time or during free gym time.
• Classroom: tutoring, assisting in the computer lab or classroom as scheduled by the instructors/detention officers.
• Other groups: volunteers may assist in the planning and presentation of any program with prior permission. (i.e. religious groups, life skills, etc.)

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Jason Tabb, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. at (309) 888-5550. Volunteer orientations are scheduled every Wednesday night (if there are people registered). Please call to register for the orientation by the Monday prior to the session. The orientation consists of a tour of the facility, further descriptions of the volunteer opportunities available and completing necessary paperwork. All volunteers must pass a background check prior to being allowed to volunteer.

The detention center accepts students in an internship program at an accredited four (4) year college/university. Any student interested in becoming a intern may send their resume' to:

Cathy Waltz
McLean County Juvenile Detention Center
903 N. Main Street
Normal, Illinois 61761

Upon receipt of your resume you will receive a confirmation letter and an internship application. Please return the application no sooner than six (6) months prior to your expected start date of the internship. All interns are interviewed and complete a criminal history check prior to being accepted into the internship program.

Interns attend training sessions with our Accreditation/Training Officer before being released to work with the juveniles. Interns assist Detention Officers in the day-to-day facility operations. This includes assisting in supervising residents during their daily activities such as classroom, recreation, meal, and leisure times. Interns also have opportunities to assist Detention Officers during court transports.