LCYDC is a juvenile detention facility in South Portland, Maine,
operated by the Maine Department of Corrections.
Young people held here are in the juvenile justice system - not the adult criminal system. Juvenile detention is governed by different rules, different courts, and different rights than adult incarceration. If your child or a young person you care about is detained here, this page is designed to help you understand what is happening and what to do right now. Information on this page was last verified August 2026.
InmateAid has been helping families navigate detention and the justice system since 2012. Our founder served 66 months in federal custody. We know what it means to have a family member taken away, and we built this resource so families have the information they need when they need it most. InmateAid holds a BBB A+ rating.
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Call LCYDC directly at 207-822-2600 - this is the fastest confirmation. Juvenile facility rosters are not always publicly searchable in the same way adult jail rosters are, because juvenile records are confidential in most states.
Steps to confirm your child is at LCYDC:
1. Call 207-822-2600 and identify yourself as the parent or legal guardian
2. Provide your child's full legal name and date of birth
3. Ask for confirmation of admission and the name of the assigned case manager or youth advocate
4. Ask what the next scheduled court date is and which court it is in
If you have not been notified of the detention and you believe your child may have been arrested, also contact the arresting law enforcement agency and Maine juvenile court for your jurisdiction.
Yes - and this is one of the most important things to understand immediately.
In most states, law enforcement is required to notify a parent or legal guardian promptly after a juvenile is taken into custody. In many states, a juvenile cannot be questioned without a parent or guardian present, or without a knowing and voluntary waiver of that right. If your child was questioned before you were notified, document that and consult a juvenile defense attorney immediately.
Your rights as a parent during juvenile detention typically include:
-- The right to be notified of the detention promptly
-- The right to visit during approved hours
-- The right to communicate with your child by phone
-- The right to be present at court hearings
-- The right to retain legal counsel for your child
Contact LCYDC at 207-822-2600 immediately, identify yourself as the parent or guardian, and ask to be connected with your child's assigned case manager or youth advocate. Ask what proceedings are underway and what your participation rights are.
Juvenile court is a separate court system designed for young people, with a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Key differences from adult criminal court:
Confidentiality: Juvenile proceedings and records are typically confidential in Maine. This protects your child's record from public access in most circumstances.
Disposition not conviction: The outcome of a juvenile proceeding is a disposition, not a criminal conviction. This distinction matters for your child's future - a juvenile disposition generally does not carry the same lifelong consequences as an adult conviction.
No jury trial in most cases: A juvenile court judge makes the determination, not a jury.
Rehabilitation focus: Juvenile courts have access to a range of interventions - counseling, community service, probation, treatment programs - that are not typically available in adult court.
Adult court transfer: Serious offenses and repeat offenders can be transferred to adult court in Maine. If adult court transfer is possible in your child's case, a juvenile defense attorney needs to be involved immediately. An adult conviction follows your child for life in ways a juvenile disposition typically does not.
Contact a licensed juvenile defense attorney in Maine as soon as possible. Read InmateAid's what to expect guide for general context on the justice process.
Juvenile detention does not use traditional bail in most states. Instead, a detention hearing is typically held within 24 to 72 hours of admission. At that hearing a juvenile court judge determines whether your child should remain detained or be released to parent or guardian custody with conditions.
Factors the judge considers include the nature of the offense, prior record, whether the young person is a flight risk, and whether release to a parent or guardian provides adequate supervision and community safety.
If your child is held following a detention hearing, subsequent hearings are scheduled on a timeline set by Maine juvenile justice law. A juvenile defense attorney can petition for release at any stage.
For cases where adult court transfer has occurred and traditional bail applies, read InmateAid's bail and bond guide for a full walkthrough.
Visitation rules at juvenile detention facilities are set by the facility and Maine juvenile justice regulations. Contact LCYDC at 207-822-2600 to confirm:
-- Current visiting days and hours
-- Whether advance registration or approval is required
-- What identification you must bring
-- Whether siblings or other family members are permitted
-- Any specific rules about what you can bring or wear
Juvenile facilities typically permit immediate family members to visit. Extended family and friends may require advance approval. Call before making the trip - hours can change without notice. Read InmateAid's visitation guide for a general pre-visit checklist.
Please call (207) 822-2601 for visiting hours and to make an appointment to visit.
Visitation Rules
The following rules provide visitors with clear and concise information regarding visit procedures and visitation to prevent conflict or confusion regarding our expectations and to ensure that the visitor and resident have a positive experience.
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Residents committed to the facility by a court for an indeterminate period (e.g., up to age 18) are allowed two visits a week, and all other residents are allowed visits once a week.
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Each housing unit has its own visitation schedule. Units Visitation Schedule
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The Juvenile Program Manager, or designee, of the resident’s housing unit shall obtain the visitor’s name, relationship to the resident, address, and phone number to process an authorized visit.
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All visitors must complete the Juvenile Facility Visitor Application Form (Please see right hand column) to be permitted resident visitation. Completed visitor applications verifying the relationship to the resident (e.g., custody order, marriage certificate, birth certificate) are subject to approval by the Juvenile Program Manager. Detained youth will be allowed one visit prior to the submission and completion of a Visitor Application Form.
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All visitor applications will include a background check, and any visitor denied visitation will receive a letter in the mail stating the reason for the denied visitation.
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All visitors must arrive at Long Creek Youth Development Center at least 15 Minutes Prior to the scheduled visit, for processing and COVID-19 Screening. Failure to adhere to this time frame will result in denial of the visit.
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Visitation is not allowed to any individual under the influence of alcohol or drugs or is in possession of such contraband. Individuals shall not convey an illegal drug, weapon, or escape tool to facility staff or official.
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Visitation shall not be allowed if the visitor is wearing inappropriate apparel.
Phone contact rules at juvenile facilities vary significantly. Some permit daily calls; others limit contact considerably, particularly in early detention. Contact LCYDC at 207-822-2600 to confirm current phone policies.
Contact LCYDC at 207-822-2600 to confirm the current phone system and how to receive calls.
Commissary and mail rules at juvenile facilities vary more than at adult jails. Some have standard commissary systems; others provide all essentials as part of the program. Contact LCYDC at 207-822-2600 to confirm:
-- Whether a commissary or trust account exists and how to fund it
-- What items your child is permitted to have
-- Mail rules including address format, what is permitted, and any restrictions
For money deposits where a standard system exists, visit InmateAid's send money page for deposit instructions for LCYDC.
For mail, address to 675 Westbrook St with your child's full legal name and any facility ID number assigned at intake. Keep mail supportive and simple - plain white paper, no stickers, no glitter, standard print photos.
InmateAid's send mail service handles formatting so rejection is not a risk.
Maine's juvenile justice system - how detention hearings work, what rights young people and their parents have, what programs are available, and what happens at release - is governed by Maine law and varies from adult incarceration in important ways. InmateAid's Maine resources hub covers Maine-specific resources including legal aid organizations and juvenile justice information.
Frequently Asked Questions about LCYDC
How do I confirm my child is at LCYDC?
Call 207-822-2600 and identify yourself as the parent or legal guardian. Juvenile facility rosters are confidential and not publicly searchable - direct contact with the facility is the fastest and often only way to confirm placement.
Can my child be questioned without me present?
In most states a juvenile cannot be questioned without a parent or guardian present, or without a knowing and voluntary waiver of that right. If your child was questioned before you were notified, document that and contact a juvenile defense attorney immediately.
Will this result in a criminal record?
Juvenile records are typically confidential and may be sealed or expunged when your child turns 18, depending on Maine law and the nature of the offense. However, serious offenses can result in adult court transfer, which creates a permanent adult record. Contact a juvenile defense attorney for guidance specific to your child's situation.
How long can my child be held before a court hearing?
In most states a detention hearing must be held within 24 to 72 hours of admission. The juvenile court judge determines at that hearing whether to release your child to parent custody or continue detention. Contact 207-822-2600 for the scheduled hearing date and time.
Can I bring things when I visit?
Contact 207-822-2600 to confirm what is permitted. Most juvenile facilities restrict what visitors can bring - typically only valid ID is required, and items for the young person must be approved in advance through proper channels rather than brought during a visit.
Juvenile detention is frightening for everyone involved - for the young person inside and for the family outside. The system is designed with different goals than adult incarceration, and most of the time the path through it is shorter and less permanent than families fear in those first hours. What matters most right now is getting connected - to the facility, to a good juvenile defense attorney, and to as much information as you can find.
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