It is the mission of the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center to provide safe and secure detention for juveniles remanded to the care of the agency by the Monmouth County Superior Court and other referral agencies. YDC is a temporary holding facility and the admissions and discharge of juveniles is controlled by the Monmouth County Superior Court, Family Division. The Center's objectives are to minimize the potentially damaging effects of confinement in as secure and non-threatening atmosphere that supports a juvenile's physical, emotional and social development. Within the scope of our mission, the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center provides medical, educational, recreational, vocational, correctional, mental health and social services to attempt to meet identified needs of the juvenile.

The Monmouth County Youth Detention Center (YDC) was officially opened to accept juveniles on March 9, 1970. When opened, the facility had a capacity of twenty-three boys and thirteen girls. Over time, it was necessary to reduce the capacity to fourteen boys and nine girls by the elimination of dormitories as living quarters. In 1986, renovations were completed, including the addition of a new wing, increasing the capacity to forty beds.

The medical department provides nursing care 365 days per year between the hours of 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. In-house doctor visits are provided three days per week, as well as on-call doctor services. A voluntary immunization program is provided to the residents. Extensive in-house mental health services which consist of individual, group and substance abuse counseling, as well as weekly psychiatric services are provided.

YDC's Social Services Department provides seven day per week coverage, including Holidays: Mon-Fri. 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Sat./Sun. 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Programs and services are delivered in a scheduled format intended to meet the basic needs of the juveniles without regard to race, creed, age, economic status, judicial status or sexual orientation. Within the framework of security procedures, the center utilizes a Behavior Management system, provides a daily school program and indoor and outdoor recreation. Special programs from community agencies such as the Monmouth County Parks System, Checkmate, Inc., Department of Human Services and local religious organizations are also provided.

All programs and services meet the State of New Jersey Standards as documented in the Manual of Standards for Juvenile Detention Facilities and are provided by trained staff in a professional and caring modality.