Concerns about the treatment of residents in Wayne County's juvenile detention centers were brought to light during a recent Health and Human Services meeting. A former employee shared troubling firsthand accounts of inadequate supervision and support, raising alarms about the safety and well-being of the youth in these facilities.

The former staff member described witnessing residents passing drugs to one another without any intervention from supervisors. This alarming situation highlights a significant gap in oversight that could endanger the health of the young individuals in custody. The speaker expressed deep concern over the lack of proper management and support for both residents and employees, suggesting that the current environment discourages long-term employment and fails to prioritize the welfare of the youth.

In a particularly distressing incident, the former employee recounted a crisis situation where a resident was in danger of self-harm. Despite the urgency, there was no crisis team available to assist, and the employee had to take matters into their own hands. They described a lack of appropriate response from management, which raises questions about the protocols in place for handling such critical situations.

The discussion also touched on employee retention issues within the juvenile system. The former employee indicated that the current leadership culture does not foster a supportive environment for staff, which could contribute to high turnover rates and a lack of experienced personnel to care for the residents.

These revelations underscore the urgent need for reform in the juvenile detention system in Wayne County. As the community grapples with these serious concerns, it is clear that both the safety of the youth and the support for employees must be prioritized to ensure a healthier environment for all involved. The meeting served as a crucial platform for voicing these issues, and it remains to be seen how county officials will respond to these pressing challenges.