G. Ross Bell Youth Detention Center

G. Ross Bell Youth Detention Center basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 205-325-5498

This facility is for juvenile residents.

The G. Ross Bell Youth Detention Center is a medium to low-security detention center located at 716 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd North Birmingham, AL that is operated locally by the Juvenile Justice Department and holds youths awaiting the determination of punishment for the crimes which they are accused. Most of the adolescents are here for less than two years.

General Information
The Birmingham Juvenile Intake office is staffed with six juvenile probation officers that have been sworn as magistrates. Their statutory function is to initiate juvenile cases according to the Alabama Rules of Juvenile Procedure, but they also receive criminal complaints and assist the public in filing of civil petitions.

The magistrates are on duty at the Family Court Courthouse and the Bessemer Courthouse during county office hours. At least one magistrate is on duty or on call at the G- Ross Bell Youth Detention Center at all other times for emergencies. For further information please contact the Intake Office, in Birmingham at 205-325-5454, in Bessemerat 205-744-3501, and on nights and weekends at 205-325-5805.

Juvenile Proceedings.
Juvenile cases are in the matter of a "child" or "minor" as these terms are defined by the Alabama Juvenile Justice Act ( § 12-15-1 through 12-15-601). A magistrate according to Alabama Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 12, must initiate every juvenile case. The magistrate receives and evaluates juvenile complaints similarly to criminal complaints and determines whether a petition will be filed to initiate a case before the court. Code, § 12-15-120. The following are various types of juvenile cases:

§ Delinquent, where a child is alleged to have committed a crime. Code, § 12-15-114(a)).

§ Dependent, where a child is alleged to be subjected to abuse, neglect, or inadequate care. Code, § 12-15-114(a)

§ Child in need of supervision, where a child is alleged to have committed a juvenile status offense. Code, § 12-15-114(a)

§ Judicial consent for a child's marriage, employment, enlistment or withdrawal from school. Code, § 12-15-115(a) (2).

§ Interstate Compact on Juveniles, for interstate placement of delinquent children or the return of juvenile interstate runaways, escapees or absconders. Code, § 12-15-114(c) (1) & 44-2-1 el seq.

§ Involuntary commitment of a child or minor to the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Code, §§ 12-15-115(a) (3) & 12-15-90.

§ Termination of parental rights to a child. Code, § 12-15-114(c) (2) & 26-18-1 el seq.

§ Emergency removal or medical treatment for a child. Code, §12-15-115(b) (I) Violation of a child's rights in public school proceedings. Code, § 12-15 115(b) (2).

visitation Info

Visitation for a county or regional juvenile facility is limited to immediate family only. Mother, father, sisters, and brothers are allowed. The visitation rules are very strict, we suggest reaching out to the staff to get their specific limitations.