West Central Detention Center
  
Serving Auglaize, Clinton, Darke, Mercer,
Miami, Preble, and Shelby Counties

Mailing Address:
West Central Detention Center
2044 North County Road 25A
Troy, Ohio 45373

Contact Information:
Phone (937) 440-5651
Fax (937) 335-3843
West Central Detention Center
About Us
The West Central Juvenile Detention Center is located in the Miami County Government Complex. It is about 2 miles south of exit #78 off of I-75. Administrative hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is a 44-bed facility that serves seven counties in West Central Ohio, including Auglaize, Clinton, Darke, Mercer, Preble, and Shelby Counties.

The Juvenile Detention Center first opened January 1, 1993. The facility operated with 24 single cell rooms with 2 holding cells. After about 2 years the population outgrew the existing facility. By using portable beds and working additional security staff the overcrowding was handled. With the support of the neighboring counties, a new pod with 20 more individual cells, an additional classroom and several offices were added. The building expansion was completed in May 1999.


This facility's daily operation is based on a semi-military model. It encourages self-discipline, responsibility, self-respect, respect of others and proper decision-making skills.



Youth that are detained here are not permitted to have any of their own personal belongings. The detention center provides all of their clothing and personal hygiene needs as well as their meals each day. Each resident does need to have a pair of tennis shoes for gym class. Residents get to make an initial phone call when they first get here. After that, any phone call privileges are earned and the calls are all collect. The average length of stay is from seven to eleven days. With rigorous programming we have reduced the recidivism rate from a high of 63% to as low as 42%. Parents and guardians may visit by appointment only on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. These visits are 20 minutes long and must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.


Parents and guardians wishing to visit must bring a picture ID with them. Visitors are asked to arrive a couple of minutes early to be able to sign in and secure any personal belongings before entering the secure area. This is a smoke free building.
Mission Statement
The mission of West Central Juvenile Detention Center is to provide leadership for change to youth, family units and the communities it serves by creating legitimate alternative pathways to adulthood. Through equal access to services that are least intrusive, culturally sensitive and consistent with the highest professional standards, the youth at West Central Juvenile Detention Center will be controlled, supported and protected with these standards in mind.
Vision Statement
Our vision is that every child experience success in caring families and nurturing communities that cherish children and teach them to value family and community. Our vision is guided by the fact that our decisions and actions affecting children today determine the quality of life tomorrow.
Staff
The West Central Juvenile Detention Center is operated by William Lance Ray under the direction of Judge W. McGregor Dixon, Jr., Miami County Juvenile Court Judge. Mr. Ray has been the superintendent of the facility since March, 2007. He has over 15 years experience in law enforcement and corrections. Kathy Ventura, Assistant Director, assists Mr. Ray in the daily operations. The facility is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed accordingly.

William Lance Ray, Superintendent

Kathy Ventura, Assistant Director
Youth Programs
Along with the facility's strict discipline, a wide variety of programs are offered to enhance each youth's ability to function in society today. Daily activities here are very structured with the residents spending the majority of their day outside of their room. The residents attend a self-help group every day with discussion topics dealing with anger management, substance abuse, family planning, decision making and various every day living skills.
Spritual
Church service is offered by a variety of churches each Sunday. Volunteer groups conduct bible study on Monday and Friday evenings.
Phase Program
A three level program allows each youth to set and accomplish goals and enables each youth to make the right decisions by establishing rewards and consequences for their actions.
  • Orientation (0-3 days)
  • Phase I (3-10 days)
  • Phase II (until release or removal for behavior problems
Educational
West Central Juvenile Detention Center has school year round. Youth must attend class each day Monday through Friday. Our teachers work very closely with the home school to obtain the resident's homework. We make every attempt to keep up to date with their school so they have a smooth transition when they return to public school.
Anger Control
Miami County Mental Health offers a CHOICES program twice a week. This program helps the youth deal with anger issues.
Group
This program is offered daily and covers a wide variety of topics such as drugs and alcohol, sexually transmitted diseases, personal hygeine, cultural diversity and independent living skills.
Responsibility
Residents in detention learn to accept responsibility for their actions. Many blame parents, probation officers, teachers, siblings and friends for their behavior. The programs here redirect that attitude and thought process. By accepting responsibility and being held accountable for their actions, their transition back into the community is more successful.
Community Programs
The Detention Center staff interacts in the community by participating in the DARE Programs in Shelby, Darke, and Miami Counties. Staff will attend the various schools throughout the year to explain the routine of what we do here. We have had great response from the schools that have invited us to speak. We also speak to various organizations throughout the counties.
S.T.A.R. Program
Start
Today
Accepting
Responsibility

This is a free program offered to the community for children ages 12 to 17 to tour the facility. They get a very close look at being in a locked facility. This program is set up for unruly youth who are at risk of being introduced into the Juvenile Court System. The youth who participate in this program are shown the consequences of poor decision making and it impresses upon them the reality of life in a locked facility. School officials, probation officers and police agencies must refer a youth for participation in this program. Parents must attend with the youth. We have had many successful participants who do not want to return for an overnight stay.