The Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center is a secure, 48 bed facility, with an operational capacity of 40, housing minors between the ages of 10 and 20 who are awaiting proceedings in Juvenile and, in some circumstances, Adult Court. The detention center was built in 1992 and was expanded to its current capacity in 1995. In the last couple years, the Winnebago County Board has provided the funding for multiple projects to ensure facility improvements are completed.

In calendar year 2025, the average daily population was 29.8. This was a decrease from 2024 when the facility had an average of 30.9.

The Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center passed their Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) certification in February 2025. The Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse and sexual harassment within the facility. The Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center is only 1 of 4. Detention Centers in the state that has earned this certification so far.

The Detention Center provides a variety of programming for the lodged minors. Rosecrance provides behavioral health services for the minors in detention through a contract with University of Illinois School of Medicine-Rockford. In 2023, behavioral health services were increased due to funding received through the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board allowing for the addition of three full time qualified mental health workers through Freedom Behavioral Health. Juveniles in the facility now have behavioral health services available seven days a week. Those services include group therapy providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and trauma response, along with individual sessions and crisis response.

Education at the facility is provided by three District 205 special education certified teachers and a para professional. Teachers work with the youth on either their home school curriculum or on a curriculum through Subject.com.

Detention Center staff and outside community volunteers supplement education and therapeutic services by facilitating program related to career exploration, art, therapy dogs and teaching a variety of life skills.