Changes in Columbia’s Youth Detention System as Overcrowding Issues Persist

COLUMBIA – Changes Ahead for Youth Detention Due to Overcrowding

In a move aimed at tackling the overcrowding issues faced by the state’s juvenile justice system, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has announced plans to rent a closed wing of the Greenville County jail. This comes as the Columbia detention center struggles with a significant number of young people awaiting sentencing due to a backlog in the justice system.

On Monday, a committee of legislators approved a plan that could see a five-year lease on the Greenville facility. If all goes according to plan, this lease could start as early as January 1. This initiative, which carries a hefty price tag of nearly $3.3 million, is part of a broader effort to ease the strain on the DJJ’s overcrowded facilities.

The Background of the Situation

The Greenville County youth detention center has been closed since March 2022. Initially, it was a temporary closure to enable the county to recruit more detention officers. However, nearly two years later, the facility remains dormant, prompting the state to seek other options. Furthermore, the situation worsened in Richland County, where the juvenile wing of its detention center closed over the summer, resulting in around 45 youth transferred to DJJ custody. Currently, the pre-trial juvenile detention center in Columbia is operating almost double its intended capacity, housing 141 youth when it was designed for only 72.

A Focus on Safety and Staffing

As you might imagine, these overcrowded conditions have made it extremely challenging for staff and the young people themselves. Eden Hendrick, the DJJ Director, expressed concern in a letter, stating that the overcrowding has “placed unprecedented expectations” on their ability to care for youth, many of whom have serious medical and mental health needs.

The Greenville center, boasting a spacious 22,000-square-foot area, can accommodate up to 47 children. However, the real capacity hinges on the DJJ’s ability to hire adequate staff to supervise the youth. Michelle Foster, a spokeswoman for the agency, noted that they aim to hire enough personnel for 40 juveniles, but hiring can take time, meaning the facility won’t immediately alleviate overcrowding.

Legal and Health Challenges

The situation is difficult and troubling. Reports indicate that some teens have reacted to the overcrowding by vandalizing the facility, with cinderblock walls damaged in attempts to reach both staff and other youth. Moreover, there are troubling allegations regarding the living conditions. A lawsuit from the ACLU highlights issues like black mold, weeks-old clogged toilets, and youth sleeping on floors. That’s not the kind of environment anyone wants for their children!

Let’s not forget, counties are not legally obligated to house these youth, which often leads to state-run facilities being a more economical choice at about $50 per youth per day—a far cry from the hundreds it takes to provide proper care.

Looking Toward the Future

To further address these ongoing challenges, the DJJ is also requesting a staggering $200 million from legislators in the upcoming budget cycle to build a new detention center. The existing facility was originally built for temporary stays of no more than 30 days. However, due to severe court backlogs, many youths end up staying for months or even years.

The proposed new center has the potential to house up to 120 youths ages 12-19, significantly improving the current overcrowded situation. Although last year, legislators allocated $17 million for repairs at the Broad River Road campus, about 60% of the 155 buildings are reported as being in various states of disrepair. Yikes!

So, as Columbia deals with these pressing issues, the decisions made in the coming months will be crucial in turning around the travails of the juvenile justice system. With proposed improvements underway, we can only hope that better days are ahead for both staff and the youth they serve.