The Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center, also known as the Dickinson Juvenile Justice Center, serves youth from Johnson County and surrounding areas in a safe and secure setting with a 24-bed capacity for males and females. Providing educational, recreational, mental-health, and spiritual services, we are committed to support healthy development while balancing community safety. Our mission is to provide protection to the community while preserving the dignity and rights of each young person housed here through a structured behavior management system.

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Johnson County is proud to be a Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) site, a national reform effort focused on reducing unnecessary detention and expanding safe community-based alternatives for youth. As a JDAI participant, the juvenile justice system uses objective decision-making tools, data-driven practices, and risk-based criteria to ensure youth are only detained when absolutely necessary for public safety, promoting fairness and better outcomes.

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The center further strengthens its rehabilitation focus by implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), a trauma-informed approach that builds trust, addresses the effects of adversity, and supports positive behavior through safe, nurturing relationships. Combining TBRI with the JDAI model helps ensure youth receive care that prioritizes well-being, healing, and long-term success — not just short-term compliance — reflecting Johnson County’s commitment to both youth potential and community protection.