Juvenile Hall will be open for public tours on Saturday, May 14.
The free tours available in English or Spanish will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2851 Meadow Lark Drive near Rady Children’s Hospital. The annual open house usually attracts thousands of visitors including families, youth clubs and other groups. The tour takes about an hour and provides a glimpse inside the Juvenile Court and adjoining Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.
The behind-the-scene tours are given by Juvenile Court judges and San Diego County Probation Department staff to allow the public to see what detained youth experience from the court proceedings to school to recreation and living quarters. Visitors will also get to see the communal uniforms, showers, food and daily schedule.
For privacy, none of the detained youth will be visible on the tours which will be routed through an empty unit.
Probation and community partners will also host booths outside to highlight community programs and resources available to families.
Visiting youth can receive community service credit. Reservations are not required. Probation and court officials are prohibiting backpacks, purses, cameras, weapons, food or drink and tobacco products on the tour.
