Mobile County to assume Strickland youth center detention supervision; extension service to start horticulture program

The Mobile County Commission on July 28 adopted a resolution to assume supervision and administration of the detention facility division of the James T. Strickland Youth Center and its related employees, and commissioners heard a separate presentation about launching horticulture instruction at the same facility.

The action to assume supervision of the detention facility division was approved after the item was presented on the agenda; the resolution was moved and seconded during the meeting and recorded on the agenda as approved pending legal review.

Why it matters: assuming supervision changes which entity is responsible for day-to-day operations and employee oversight at the youth detention facility. Separately, education and workforce programs at Strickland could affect detained youths’ post-release job prospects.

At the public-comment portion, Jack McCoy, the Mobile County Cooperative Extension System home grounds and gardens horticulture agent and master gardener volunteer coordinator, described plans to start a horticulture class at Strickland "starting this August, per board approval," and said extension staff already "installed irrigation in the raised beds on-site, which will allow us to grow vegetables and flowers year round." McCoy said the extension is pursuing the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association’s nursery and landscape workers certification to provide "an industry recognized certificate" so older youths could leave the facility with a pathway to employment.

Cindy Knowlton, county extension director, invited commissioners to continued engagement and thanked the commission for support of extension programs in Mobile County.

Discussion versus decision: the commission’s formal decision on the agenda was the resolution to assume supervision of the detention facility division (approved on the record). The horticulture class and potential certification program at Strickland were presented as program proposals and community-outreach efforts discussed during public comment and staff presentations; no formal contract or appropriation for the extension program was recorded at the meeting.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting: commissioners and extension staff said irrigation and raised beds are installed at the site; the certification program is under discussion with the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association and still requires adaptation to Strickland’s scheduling and security constraints. McCoy said planting at other extension sites is already underway and noted more information will be developed in meetings with Strickland staff.

What’s next: the commission’s resolution to assume supervision is now on record; extension staff said they will continue planning with Strickland and partners to set class schedules and certification details and can provide more information to commissioners on request.

Ending note: Commissioners did not record a separate appropriation for the Strickland training during this meeting; the horticulture program remains a staff-led initiative in planning stages.