Rule 129.04 App. A Sec.16 Appendix A. Standards for Operation of a Secure Juvenile Detention Facility - Section 16. Release

Detention facilities need clear, written rules for how they release a juvenile from custody. Before letting a young person go, staff must check that the person requesting the release actually has the authority to do so. They also need to notify the parent, guardian, or other responsible party who will be taking custody of the juvenile.

When a juvenile leaves the facility, staff must return any personal property and cash that was taken at intake. They also need a plan for handling any mail or packages that arrive for the juvenile after release, and for transferring the juvenile's records to the appropriate place.

The facility also needs written procedures for situations where a juvenile is allowed a temporary leave into the community, such as a supervised outing or visit. This means staff should have clear steps to follow before, during, and after these temporary leaves, so everyone knows what is expected and the juvenile's safety and accountability are maintained.