The River Valley Juvenile Justice Center is a pre-adjudication facility that houses juveniles for approximately 30 to 60 days. The building includes a 102 bed detention center as well as two courtrooms, judges chambers, offices for the public defender, states attorney, circuit court clerk and probation.

The conceptual design of the detention center is two primary housing units that offer a full view of all the housing pods to increase safety and security of the residents and officers. The program common area between the two units, for exercise, activities and classrooms, is a short distance to traverse and an officer positioned in the middle has visual control of the area to protect teachers and other staff. Lobbies between the detention areas and the courts are linked for convenience of public users; everything is totally indoors. The juvenile defendants will enter the courtroom through a secure, unseen passageway.

Design and security consultant for the River Valley Juvenile Justice Center was Kimme and Associates, Inc.

The 104,000 square foot facility was completed in 1999 at a construction cost of $16 million.