Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center in Tarrant County, Texas is a county juvenile detention center, used primarily for pretrial holding of minors in juvenile court proceedings and short-term post-adjudication placements. Youth here are typically waiting for adjudication hearings, awaiting transfer to a state facility, or serving short county-level dispositions. Visitation is structured around these realities: scheduled visits for parents and approved family, court and attorney access, and case management contact. Before traveling, call 817-838-4610 to confirm the current schedule and your status on the approved visitor list.
Approved visitors typically include parents, legal guardians, custodial grandparents, and siblings. Stepparents and extended family may be approved case-by-case through the juvenile court or facility case management. Foster parents, child welfare caseworkers, and probation officers are generally pre-approved through their professional role. Attorneys, court-appointed advocates, and clergy have separate access. Minor siblings usually require a parent or guardian to accompany them. To add someone to the approved visitor list, the parent or legal guardian typically submits a written request, sometimes with court or case manager input.
County juvenile detention centers commonly schedule visits on weekends and selected weekday evenings, with shorter and more frequent visits than adult facilities. Visits at Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center may be contact visits in a structured family area, non-contact visits through glass, or video visits depending on facility setup and the youth's current status. Call 817-838-4610 for the current schedule and whether the youth is eligible for visits.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Custodial parents and guardians may also need legal documentation establishing custody. Dress code is enforced: no revealing attire, no clothing that resembles staff or resident uniforms, no items that could be passed to the youth. Leave phones, bags, and personal items in your vehicle or lobby lockers. Visitor behavior is monitored; violations can result in the youth losing visiting privileges.
Most youth at Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center are involved with the juvenile court and assigned to a probation officer or case manager who coordinates the case. The probation officer is often the family's primary point of contact for case status, court hearings, release planning, and visitor approvals beyond immediate family. Building a working relationship with the probation officer helps families stay informed and advocate effectively. Ask for the probation officer's name when you call 817-838-4610.
Youth at Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center are typically scheduled for an initial detention hearing within a few days of being detained, followed by adjudication and disposition hearings as the case proceeds. Release outcomes vary: release to a parent or guardian, community supervision, transfer to a state juvenile facility, or transfer to adult court in serious cases. Family attendance at court hearings is important and can affect the judge's decisions on release conditions.
For information on phone discount plans and mail support for juvenile facilities, see InmateAid's services and call 817-838-4610.
Monday through Friday 2:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. - Visitation will end at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Visitation will end at 6 p.m.
Exceptions to regularly scheduled visitation hours must be pre-approved by the Facility Administrator at the request of each resident's assigned Juvenile Probation Officer. Exceptions may be made for families to visit outside of the normal visitation hours prior to a youth leaving for placement or the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, a family's regular work schedule that conflicts with visitation hours, serious transportation issues or critical family emergencies.
Delays in visitation may occur if you come to visit during regularly scheduled meals or detention hearings. Delays may occur if your child is currently in a psychological evaluation, drug or medical assessment at the time you arrive.
| Meals | Detention Hearings | |||||||||
| Breakfast | 6 a.m. - | 8:30 a.m. | Monday through Thursday | 1:15 p.m. - | 2:15 p.m. | |||||
| Lunch | 11 a.m. - | 12:30 p.m. | Friday | 10:15 a.m. - | 11:15 a.m. | |||||
| Supper | 5:00 p.m. - | 6:30 p.m. |
Detention visitation is visually supervised. We request and require the cooperation of every visitor by following the rules of visitation in order to maintain the safety and security of our residents, visitors and staff.
You are welcome to speak with the on-duty supervisor at anytime. You may also call the Facility Administrator, Ron Lewis, at 817-838-4610 during business hours Monday through Friday.